Justin Thomas opened up on a frank and X-rated conversation he had with playing partner Tiger Woods before a difficult tee shot at the Presidents Cup, leaving the 31-year-old no closer to making his mind up on the course.
Thomas did not compete at this year’s Presidents Cup, despite an improved 2023/24 season for the world No. 30.
He played alongside Woods at the 2019 edition of the event en route to a victory for the US, but struggled with an approach and opted to ask for his partner’s advice as one of the best golfers to ever pick up a club.
“It was in the alternate shot, and I just made like an eight-footer for birdie to stay tied in the match. We were in a really good match,” Thomas told The Smylie Show. “So I had 16 tee shot, and it’s this brutal hole.
“It’s this very narrow dog-leg left, and it just gradually dog legs the whole way. And I like to fade the ball off the tee, and there’s this damn tree that’s right off of the tee on the left that’s just right in my window … it’s a big point in the match. I need to get this ball in play.
“I have the greatest iron player on planet earth on my team, but it’s such a long hole, I can’t hit an iron because it’s like a driver/five-iron kind of par four. And I never really ask Tiger anything in terms of layups or whatever it is, and that’s what makes him such a great partner. He’s just like, ‘look, you go play, I’ll go play, I’ll let you know if I need anything’.
“I call Tiger over. He’s like, ‘What?’ I’m like, ‘I mean, is there anything, like, this tee shot’s not very comfortable for me. Like, do you care if you’re further back or…”’
Woods didn’t mince his words in response, bluntly telling Thomas: “I don’t care what I have in, just put me in the f***ing fairway.”
Thomas laughed as he recounted a vintage Woods story, while acknowledging that he didn’t quite get an answer that would help on his shot.
“I was like, ‘Okay, that doesn’t make it any easier, but I appreciate it, partner,’” Thomas added. “So I just teed down a low driver and hit like a little junior draw, and somehow hit the fairway… I’ll never forget that.”
Fortunately for both, they were victorious as a pairing and were able to celebrate winning for their country after some succinct words by the 82-time PGA Tour winner.
