Justin Thomas has spilled the beans on a rather colourful and unfiltered chat he had with golf legend Tiger Woods during a tricky moment at the Presidents Cup, which didn’t exactly help him make a decision on the fairway.
Despite having a better run in the 2023/24 season, Thomas wasn’t part of this year’s Presidents Cup team, even though he’s currently ranked as the world No. 30. Back in 2019, while playing alongside Woods, Thomas faced a challenging shot at the competition and decided to seek advice from one of the greatest golfers ever.
He recounted the experience on The Smylie Show: “It was in the alternate shot, and I just made like an eight-footer for birdie to stay tied in the match. We were in a really good match,” said Thomas. “So I had 16 tee shot, and it’s this brutal hole.
“It’s this very narrow dog-leg left, and it just gradually dog legs the whole way. And I like to fade the ball off the tee, and there’s this damn tree that’s right off of the tee on the left that’s just right in my window … it’s a big point in the match. I need to get this ball in play.”
Thomas then explained his dilemma, “I have the greatest iron player on planet earth on my team, but it’s such a long hole, I can’t hit an iron because it’s like a driver/five-iron kind of par four. And I never really ask Tiger anything in terms of layups or whatever it is, and that’s what makes him such a great partner. He’s just like, ‘look, you go play, I’ll go play, I’ll let you know if I need anything’.
“I call Tiger over. He’s like, ‘What? ‘ I’m like, ‘I mean, is there anything, like, this tee shot’s not very comfortable for me. Like, do you care if you’re further back or…”‘.
Woods didn’t hold back in his response, telling Thomas straight: “I don’t care what I have in, just put me in the ——- fairway.”
Thomas chuckled as he shared a classic Woods tale, admitting that he didn’t quite receive an answer that would assist with his shot.
“I was like, ‘Okay, that doesn’t make it any easier, but I appreciate it, partner,'” Thomas continued. “So I just teed down a low driver and hit like a little junior draw, and somehow hit the fairway… I’ll never forget that.”
Luckily for both, they emerged victorious as a team and were able to celebrate their country’s win after some concise words from the 82-time PGA Tour champion.
