Justin Thomas appears to have something every PGA Tour pro needs, a short memory.
The Louisville/Goshen native, who is in his rookie season on the Tour, has shown no ill effects from the epic final-round collapse in his last tournament through the first two rounds of the John Deere Classic. That’s because the former St. Xavier High School star and University of Alabama standout is alone in first place at this week's PGA Tour stop.
Not too bad for a guy who dropped from first-place to a tie for 54th in the final 10 holes (playing them in 8-over-par) this past Sunday at The Greenbrier Classic.
Through 36 holes at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., Thomas has carded a 12-under-par 130, giving him a one shot lead over Johnson Wagner and Tom Gillis and a two-shot lead over Scott Pinckney, Daniel Summerhays and Will Wilcox. Thomas’ friend, as well as the Masters and U.S. Open champion, Jordan Spieth is five shots back in a six-way tie for 16th after his second-round 64.
Thomas opened the Deere with an 8-under-par 63 in the first-round (putting him in a first-place tie with Nicholas Thompson), then followed that up with a 4-under 67 in the second.
In Thursday’s first round Thomas carded 31-32 thanks to 10 birdies and two bogeys. Playing the back nine first, he parred the first three holes before birdieing the par-4 13th. Thomas then dropped back to par with a bogey on the par-4 14th before birdieing each of the final four holes. He then parred the first two holes of the front nine before birdieing the par-3 third. Thomas bogeyed the par-4 fourth before birdieing four consecutive holes. He closed out his round with a par on the ninth.
In Friday’s second round Thomas shot 32-35 thanks to five birdies and one bogey. Playing the front nine first, Thomas birdied Nos. 1 and 2 before sandwiching six pars around a birdie on the par-4 sixth. He began the back by sandwiching pars on Nos. 10 and 12 around a birdie on the par-4 11th. Thomas then bogeyed the par-4 13th before reeling off three consecutive pars. He then closed his round with a birdie on the 17th and a par on the 18th, getting up-and-down on both holes, for his first overnight lead in a PGA tourney.
Not only is Thomas chasing his first PGA Tour triumph this weekend, he’ll also try to earn a trip to next week’s British Open. The top player who finishes in the top five who hasn’t already earned a spot in the Open Championship at St. Andrews will make the trip across the pond.
Photo courtesy John Deere Classic Facebook Page
