Thomas targets gamers’ historical past in ‘particular’ Sawgrass

Thomas is seeking to turn into the primary participant to attain consecutive wins in The Gamers; Sky Sports activities affords 24/7 protection dwell on Sky Sports activities’ Gamers Championship channel

Justin Thomas is relishing the chance to create PGA Tour historical past at The Gamers, after a 12 months of smashing into a formidable victory at TPC Sawgrass.

Thomas put in an excellent show to overturn a seven-stroke deficit over the weekend and win the PGA Tour essential occasion final March, posting Rounds 64 and 68 to complete off an extended shot from veteran Lee Westwood.

The 14-time PGA Tour winner has not had a win since final 12 months’s success, however has reached Florida after ending 5 within the high eight in his final six internationals, as Thomas now seeks to turn into the primary participant to efficiently defend his title. within the gamers.

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One of many greatest occasions on the PGA Tour calendar is going down this month, with round the clock protection of The Gamers at TPC Sawgrass dwell on Sky Sports activities’ devoted Gamers Championship channel.

“I undoubtedly hope to vary that!” Thomas stated Sky Sports activities. “I feel there are lots of explanation why it is exhausting to defend. It is actually exhausting to win a golf match and clearly it is exhausting to win back-to-back at a spot like this!

“I used to be lucky sufficient to have the chance to win after an important run on Saturday. It was our first actual occasion in a very long time with so many followers. You possibly can really feel the power and the ambiance and I beloved it, so clearly this can be a nice reminiscence for me.”

Few would have anticipated Thomas to face a critical title problem after he began the week with 71 in a row, solely to leap into the competitors with an all-day efficiency through the third spherical.

Thomas went to the ultimate day with three strikes behind Westwood and struggled by 9 in entrance, with the American crediting his endurance after an inspiring stretch on the flip helped him win.

Justin Thomas took a one-shot win at TPC Sawgrass this previous March

“I used to be taking part in rather well at first, I could not do something,” Thomas added. “I used to be hitting lots of good hits, but it surely was simply burnt edges.

“It is irritating as a result of when it occurs Thursday and Friday you understand you have got lots of golf left, however with 18 holes left, and day three beginning once more, there was solely a lot I may do.

“I hit each inexperienced level within the entrance 9, however had three horrible bullets within the eighth after which hit the ninth on my first hit of the day. I may simply have shot three, 4, 5 below that entrance 9, however fortunately I used to be nonetheless there. .

“I then did fly 10, eagle 11, fly 12, after which the subsequent factor you realize I used to be in an important state of affairs. It’s one of many issues that may occur on this cycle, which is why it was so essential to be affected person.”

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Justin Thomas moved to the solo lead in The Gamers for the primary time by following the sparrows in succession from the ninth by digging a 20-foot-tall eagle into the eleventh.

The 28-year-old is among the many pre-tournament favorites for this week’s star-studded occasion, because the match’s fortieth anniversary debut takes place at TPC Sawgrass, the place Thomas relishes the problem of willpower.

“Sawgrass to me could be very particular and distinctive,” Thomas defined. “I feel it is actually among the finest designed programs I’ve ever performed and it requires lots of totally different pictures.

“Technique-wise, you may play it just a little in another way, however more often than not everybody goes to just about the identical locations and they’re across the identical golf equipment on the inexperienced.

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Forward of The Gamers, dwell on Sky Sports activities devoted to gamers, check out the match archives and luxuriate in among the greatest kicks ever taken on the well-known TPC Sawgrass at seventeenth place.

“5 children are nice by way of each danger and reward. We do not have very many Par-72s with 4 children anymore, and you can also make 4 children simply as simply as you may six on any one among them.

“A whole lot of holes require you to form them someway off the tee and one other manner into the inexperienced, and I actually assume this golf course brings out each facet of your recreation so you may come out on high on the finish of the week.”

Can Thomas defend his title in The Gamers this week? Watch 24/7 protection from TPC Sawgrass dwell on Sky Sports activities devoted to players. Stay protection from the opening spherical begins Thursday at 11:30 a.m.