Justin Thomas joked he’s not going to write a love letter to USA Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson should he not qualify automatically for Rome.
The second round of the 151st Open Championship was still far from over and ‘Wikipedia’ had Thomas down for a ‘missed cut’ as the 30-year-old Thomas never got going in his eighth Open appearance, and ultimately did miss the cut in golf’s oldest major for a second year running and also for a fourth occasion.
Thomas produced Royal Liverpool scores of a horror opening 82 and a more respectable second day 71 for an 11-over-par tally and eight shots outside of the cut-off mark.
Those on the golf desk at Wikipedia got it correct!
Thomas managed just five birdies over the two rounds while the double PGA Championship winner also produced eight bogeys, and also a pair of double-bogeys and an 18th hole quadruple bogey ‘9’ on day one.
Sadly, Thomas has now missed the halfway cut in three of the four majors this 2023 season which places in doubt his position on Zach Johnson’s USA Ryder Cup side.
Thomas has played in two Ryder Cups, making his debut in 2018 in Versailles and was a member of the victorious 2021 Whistling Straits team however his record of playing four rounds just once in the majors this year must add pressure on Johnson to question if he’s going to pick ‘JT’ should his poor form continue in the countdown to Rome.
“I’m excited about the Ryder Cup”, said Thomas.
“I want to make the Ryder Cup more than anything. I’m probably honestly trying too hard to do it. It reminds me a lot of my first or second year on Tour.
“I’ve tried so hard to make that team for the first time. I’m in a very similar position.”
Thomas was asked if he did not qualify automatically for Rome what he needed to do over the remaining weeks to convince Johnson to select him as a ‘wildcard’ pick”.
“I mean, it’s not like I’m going to write him a love letter or anything,” said Thomas (smiling)
“I mean, whatever — yeah, I would like to think that my record is my best argument. I love the team events. I thrive in them. I just enjoy it. Playing with a partner could kind of ease me a little bit, relax me.
“Yeah, like I said, I don’t want to put him in this position. I hate even having to hope for a pick. This is the first time since I first qualified that I’ve had to rely on a captain’s pick, and it’s not fun, especially when you’re trending the wrong way when other people are trending toward it.
“But I’m just hoping that I can finish this year out strong and my record speaks for itself, and I can, sorry, but bring the Cup home”.
And in checking Thomas’ Ryder Cup record he earned four points from his five matches in France, including beating Rory McIlroy in the opening Sunday Singles match while he won two matches, lost one and halved another along the shores of Lake Michigan.
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