The Players Championship: Justin Thomas talks title defence, getting the crowds back, and why it’s so hard to win twice
- Thomas won by a shot last year and is looking forward to returning to TPC Sawgrass
- The American says the tournament is a huge event that’s ‘very special’ to everyone on the PGA Tour
American golfer Justin Thomas starts the defence of his Players Championship title on Thursday. He reflects on last year’s one-stroke victory over Lee Westwood and why it was extra special for him to win the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament.
It means a lot to be The Players champion. It’s a huge championship and one that’s very special to all of us on the PGA Tour. It’s a tournament I’ve always wanted to win, and a tournament that I truly did feel like I was going to win at some point, and hopefully multiple times.
It was great coming back here recently for a media day. I’ve been comfortable coming to TPC Sawgrass before I’d won, so this time, I was a lot more comfortable – especially being back in the Champions Locker Room, seeing my picture around the clubhouse and the energy from the place with just days until tournament time.
I love the golf course. I liked the course the moment I first came here for the Junior Players Championship. This place is always immaculate for the tournament. TPC Sawgrass does a great job of shutting it down properly at the right time and getting the course into great shape, and I can confirm it’s going to be as beautiful and as challenging as ever.
I’ve been fortunate to have some good rounds at the Stadium Course and I’ve enjoyed some success on the Stadium Course; however, I had never won the tournament before last year but came close a couple of times. I just feel at home being around here, I like it and I feel like it’s a place that I can get it around pretty well.
I’ve had a couple of poor rounds, but I’ve also got a handful of rounds where I’ve gone low – which is huge around this place. If I can turn some of those 71s and 72s into 69s and 70s, and sprinkle in one 64 or 65, all of the sudden, a tournament where I’m looking at finishing 15th or 20th, I’ll have a chance to win. I love this place, I really do.
Last year, I remember fighting so hard. I stayed patient, and it was probably one of the best rounds of my life from tee to green, where I had total control of the ball. I really was hitting a lot of good putts; I just wasn’t holing anything.