Justin Thomas has a unique opportunity in front of him this weekend. Depending on a few factors outside of his control, the 25-year-old can become the top-ranked player in the world. However, breaks like the one he caught on Saturday at The Players Championship go a long way towards making that lifelong dream a reality.
Making the cut on the number, Thomas had 14 strokes to make up on leader Webb Simpson on Saturday. After birdieing the first two holes of the day, JT found himself in a bit of a holding pattern as he entered the par-5 9th hole. With a good drive in the fairway, Thomas pulled fairway wood and went for the green in two from just under 300 yards.
What happened next is what makes tournament golf different than your normal weekly game. Thomas’ approach hit the cart path, bounced onto the top of a hospitality tent, hit the cart path again, this time going back towards the green, leaving him with a 30-yard shot to a back pin position.
Thomas would hit his approach to 10 feet, but could only manage a par on the hole. He shot 4-under par 68 to move up the leaderboard into a tie for 33rd.
Dustin Johnson must finish 11th or better to maintain his spot atop the Official World Golf Rankings, otherwise, Thomas would lay claim to the title of “best player in the world.” DJ is currently in solo third place following a Saturday 69.
