Justin Thomas’s ‘Mediocre’ Back-9 Denied Him Not Only $1.5M but Also Delayed His Comeback Post International Snub

Justin Thomas faced disappointment at the Zozo Championship, narrowly missing his comeback opportunity following his Presidents Cup exclusion. Although his performance initially seemed promising, a lackluster back-nine on the final day cost him the win and the $1.5 million prize.

The 31-year-old carded only a single birdie at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, finishing just one stroke behind Colombian pro Nico Echavarria. Thomas, who hasn’t won since his 2022 PGA Championship victory, could have clinched his 16th PGA Tour title with a stronger back-nine performance, which saw only one birdie compared to his usual two or more.

Throughout the tournament, Thomas displayed strong form, achieving 18 birdies, an eagle, and just one bogey across four rounds. However, his Sunday finish wasn’t enough to push him into a playoff, leaving him out of contention for the lucrative $8.5 million prize pool and 40 OWGR points.

I’m Missing out on the Presidents Cup roster, Thomas had hoped the Zozo Championship would mark his return to the spotlight. While disappointed, he remained optimistic, showing support for his fellow golfers and vowing to use this setback as motivation for future success.