Jim Furyk And Justin Thomas to Pro-Am Partners: “You Guys Suck”

Jim Furyk has had a legendary career on the PGA TOUR. He’s a seasoned Ryder Cup player and captain as well as a major championship winner. That historic success is something that Furyk is used to so when he plays with amateurs, he’s not going to be happy with their play.

That fact was on obvious display this week when Justin Thomas recounted a story of Furyk playing in a pro-am. “They always ask for advice in these pro-ams, and although it’s very blunt and very aggressive, I remember Jim Furyk’s talking at the Travelers, talking to the group,” Thomas said. “He was like, ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but you guys suck. We don’t think you’re good, so don’t think that you’re good because we’re expecting you to shoot 90.’”

This seems pretty harsh even for some amateurs but as Thomas explained, it’s a reality that some of these guys need before hitting the course. He described playing in these pro-ams where the amateurs will come out and act like they’re just as good as the pros and they’re going to hit amazing shots. Playing with someone that cocky and that bad is not a good experience for anyone involved.

Jim Furyk the United States team Captain holds the Ryder Cup with…

Jim Furyk the United States team Captain holds the Ryder Cup with Justin Thomas during the official United States team photocall ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 26, 2018… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Thomas says that he honestly tells his pro-am partners the same thing but not as blunt as Furyk did. Honestly, that’s something that will probably make the amateur partners play better because they don’t feel the pressure to keep up with the professionals. Thomas also explained how playing in the pro-ams can also be positive for the pros.

Even though they are playing with some mediocre players, it allows for the pros to be more aggressive with their play. It’s not like they’re battling for a green jacket or anything so the pros are able to take more risks and let it rip on shots. Sometimes those risks don’t pay off but sometimes they’ll help some guys play better and get into a good groove heading into the week.

Perhaps Thomas is on to something because after playing in the pro-am, he finished -2 after the first round of the Honda Classic. And I’m sure as long as he and Furyk keep reminding these amateurs that they expect them to suck and their partners understand that, they’ll keep participating in pro-ams in the future.

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