In the RBC Heritage on Sunday, Justin Thomas hit the longest putt of his career to win, clearing the final obstacle to demonstrate that his game was back where he believed it belonged.
“I have never made a putt of any length to win on the final hole,” Thomas told fill-in caddie Joe Greiner as he walked up to the 18th green at Harbour Town in a playoff with Andrew Novak. He had just did it outside 20 feet.
Thomas was so thrilled to have won after going almost three years without a victory that he dropped his putter before the ball vanished into the cup.
“That was really awesome. That was just as much fun as I had anticipated.” He said.
On a course that required accuracy, Thomas played bogey-free in dry, fast conditions. He finished with a 3-under 68 after sinking a 25-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole.
When Thomas saw Novak stand over an 8-foot putt for the victory in the scoring trailer, it was possibly the most anxious moment. Novak, who hit a huge birdie of his own on the 16th, shot a 68 to join him at 17-under 267 after the birdie putt was left all the way.
Thomas was set up in the playoffs after Novak failed from within 35 feet. Looking around at the crowded grandstands on one side, the Calibogue Sound on the other, and his family supporting him behind the 18th green, he was overcome with happiness.
On the 18th green, Thomas stood beside his wife Jill and their 5-month-old daughter Molly and remarked, “I didn’t realize how much I missed winning.”
The PGA Championship at Southern Hills in May 2022 was his most recent victory. He was left off the Presidents Cup squad a year ago, and his performance declined, causing him to miss the FedExCup Playoffs for the first time in 2023.
His game was back in order ; he cracked the top 10 again ; and needed just a victory to demonstrate his game was back among the elite.
“If you will, I believe that was the final item lacking. It’s difficult to say because, of course, careers are so long and full of ups and downs that you never know where you are in your career until it’s gone. For me, at least, it seemed like the last thing I should do for my own health.” Thomas said.
Novak was a runner-up in Bermuda last October. He was right there at Torrey Pines in the Farmers Insurance Open. At the Valero Texas Open, he competed. And until Thomas refused to be denied, it appeared as though this would be his chance to make a breakthrough.
“I’m not as angry as I had anticipated. I believe I accomplished a great deal. Even though I didn’t feel like I was swinging it that well this week, I’m pleased of myself for putting myself in that situation. Down the stretch, I felt a little more at ease than I may have in the past. Justin went out and won. You really can’t do anything about it.” Novak said.
Thomas rose to No. 6 in the world after winning for the 16th time on the PGA TOUR. In the Ryder Cup rankings, he also rose into the top six.
After being joined by 54-hole leader Si Woo Kim and Maverick McNealy, Thomas and Novak broke away from a close leaderboard that at one time was tied four ways.
Daniel Berger finished with a 65 to share third place with Brian Harman (69), Mackenzie Hughes (67), and McNealy (70).
Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, even got into the competition briefly. He was level for the round after eight holes, having started four strokes behind. However, he closed the gap to 2 after making 3 birdies in a four-hole stretch around the turn.
When Scheffler took on a high-risk shot that required eagle to have a realistic chance, he was running out of hole. Double bogey resulted from that finding the water. He continued to contend until the last hour, shooting 70 and tying for 8th place, his 3rd consecutive top 10.
“I believe we are really close. Despite missing a couple crucial shots, I feel like I did a lot of things this week. Apart from that, the week was quite good.” Scheffler said.
In a playoff, Thomas made a birdie to win the championship. Starting on the 4th hole, he made 5 consecutive putts to save his chances toward the end of the front 9: 8 feet for par, 7 feet for birdie, 7 feet for par, 8 feet for par, and just inside 15 feet for birdie on No. 8, when he struck the trees with a seven-iron to give himself a chance.
Despite tree problems, Novak persevered, obtaining a few nice bounces and making an incredible par save from a sandy position in the middle of a forest on No. 11.
He rises in the world rankings to the point where he should be guaranteed a spot at the U.S. Open (in the top 35). He now needs to maintain his position in the top 50 for the British Open the following month.
