A brand new 12 months usually represents new alternatives for progress, redemption, or, in some circumstances, revenge.
All three of those attributes could be utilized to Justin Thomas, who had a horrible 2023 season through which he did not make the FedEx Cup playoffs. He additionally missed the reduce at three of the 4 main championships, with a tie for sixty fifth on the PGA Championship being the outlier.
Alas, Thomas hopes that 2024 will result in extra success. His season will start at subsequent week’s The American Categorical—the PGA Tour’s annual occasion held in Palm Springs, California.
“Clearly bummed to not be beginning in Hawaii,” Thomas stated ultimately month’s PNC Championship.
“[The Sentry is] at all times one among my favorites. You by no means know what’s going to occur, and World Rating and whatnot… however I discovered rather a lot this previous season. The primary factor is issues are by no means as unhealthy as folks make them out to be. At occasions, I used to be simply a few putts, photographs, swings, right here and there away from at the least having an opportunity of creating a run.”
The 2-time main champion stored issues optimistic when discussing his previous season, despite the fact that he missed six cuts—probably the most since his 2016-17 season.
However he goals to start the 2024 season with a strong begin—at an occasion through which he has not competed since 2015.
In his two profession begins within the Coachella Valley, Thomas missed the reduce in 2014 and tied for seventh in 2015. On the time, The American Categorical was often called the Humana Problem. It was initially often called the Bob Hope Desert Basic.
Whatever the sponsor, Thomas is just not the one notable entrant in subsequent week’s match.
World number-one Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, and defending U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark will even tee it up at The American Categorical. These 4 gamers are at present ranked within the prime 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
Different notable entrants embody Michael Block, who was invited after profitable the Southern California PGA Skilled Championship.
Daniel Berger will even play, marking his first occasion since 2022.
Sam Burns, Eric Cole, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Min Woo Lee, Robert MacIntyre, Shane Lowry, Camillo Villegas, and Will Zalatoris, amongst others, are additionally listed as individuals in subsequent week’s match.
Gamers will play one spherical on three completely different programs: Pete Dye Stadium Course, La Quinta Nation Membership, and the Nicklaus Event Course, earlier than a 54-hole reduce on Saturday night.
The highest 65 gamers and ties will advance to Sunday’s remaining spherical on the Pete Dye Stadium Course.
Certainly, Thomas needs to make it to Sunday and never begin the season with a missed reduce. That may spell bother for the 15-time PGA Tour winner. However Thomas has had a penchant for bouncing again, and everybody within the golf world expects him to try this.
Maybe the brand new 12 months and the start of a brand new season will permit him to take action.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
