Justin Thomas Hits The Nail on The Head

Take a bow Justin Thomas. Many of us believe that today’s leading PGA Tour golfers are selfish, pampered millionaires who really don’t get the fact that it is the fans who put them where they are.

And it appears that Thomas agrees.

He has written a letter to all his fellow PGA Tour professionals in which he reminds them of the duty they have to those fans. 

It is interesting that the letter came on the same day he produced a stellar performance in Tiger Woods’ made-for-TV TGL format which sees teams of leading golfers going head to head in a purpose-built giant simulator. The league is played out to thumping music, with all players wearing microphones and being interviewed throughout.

And Thomas wants more of it.

The American wants proper pre-round and mid-round interviews - something that already happens every week on the DP World Tour, often when players are involved in the heat of battle. It gives fans an insight into what makes them tick, what their thought processes are and how they deal with bad breaks.

Last season saw broadcast figures for the PGA Tour fall off a cliff. Golfers could bury their heads in the sand and hope that it all goes away. Not Thomas.

He wrote: "We’re incredibly lucky to have many passionate people tuning in to watch us every week, but let’s be honest -this game can feel a little distant at times."

Referring to a recent survey conducted by the PGA Tour, he highlighted the fact that "on-course personality" is "the highest ranked driver of interest for young fans (18-34). Getting the younger age group interested and watching our sport could be a huge difference in our popularity."

It tells you everything you need to know about the game that a 49-year-old Tiger Woods, who completed just one 72-hole tournament in 2024 (The Masters, at which he finished dead last of those who made the cut) remains the golfer who still generates most interest in the game. Scottie Scheffler may have swept all before him last year but he just doesn’t generate passionate interest. Neither does Xander Schauffele, who won two majors in 2024.

In truth, the only current player who does so is Rory McIlroy, and much of that is down to his perceived frailties on the course.

Thomas believes that the best way to change this is for his peers to make themselves more available to the broadcast media. And do you know what? He is absolutely correct.

Of course we all know what they feel after winning. And in many instances we also get an insight into how they feel when they come up short. But we have no real clue about what goes through their minds when they are gridding away.

Thomas continued: "The more I’ve watched documentaries and specials on streaming services on other sports, the more I’ve come to realize the main reason I love them so much is the access they provide and the insight the players are giving me; a fan of them and their craft,. I had no interest in rooting for certain players, teams, coaches before watching a handful of shows and games. But the way some of them show their cards and how they go about everything makes me an even bigger fan."

Anybody who has watched the two series of the Netflix series Full Swing will understand exactly where Thomas is coming from. The first series saw a struggling Brooks Koepka wondering if he would ever win another golf tournament as he battled injury and poor form. It showed an entirely different side of him. And how many of you started rooting for him after seeing his vulnerability? I know that I did.

Would Joel Dahmen have become a cult figure had he not laid his soul bare on Full Swing? In a word, no!

It is worth noting that Thomas did not always feel this way. In 2021 he said: "I would not wear a mic, no, that’s not me."

But he has recognised that things have to change - and they do.