Ready for Ryder Cup, Justin Thomas Not Taking Criticism Personally

For those who casually check in on the big golf events, it will be no shock to see Justin Thomas’s name on the roster for Team USA at this week’s Ryder Cup.

But many golf pundits and ardent fans are wondering why Thomas was selected to the team despite a lack of recent success—having not won since the 2022 PGA Championship and missing the FedEx Cup playoffs for the first time in his illustrious career.

As Thomas prepares to build on his 6-2-1 record in two previous Ryder Cups, he is paying no mind to the outside noise. He said the only noise that mattered was captain Zach Johnson’s call to notify him that he made the team.

“After I was picked from the team, it doesn’t matter what it is, especially when it comes to people and stuff online, everybody’s got an opinion, and theirs is right and everybody else’s is wrong, at least that’s what generally seems to be,” Thomas said from Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome. “So for that exact reason, I stayed away from social media and stayed away from stuff online because I knew nothing good was going to come from it.”

Does revenge motivate Justin Thomas?

Hear what the 3x Ryder Cupper had to say to Taylor Zarzour.@JustinThomas34 I @rydercup pic.twitter.com/zHQDp3vwMI

— SiriusXM Ryder Cup Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) September 26, 2023

Thomas reportedly made some changes to his support team after the Wyndham Championship in early August, and if that was the case, the early returns were good: a fourth-place finish at the Fortinet Championship in the PGA Tour Fall’s debut event.

Now, he’s in the spotlight, which his teammates say he relishes.

“It creates maybe just a little extra level of focus for him,” Jordan Spieth said. “I’ve been beside him for these Ryder Cups, and he quite simply plays better golf than the guys across from him.”

“He is not afraid of the moment he’s in, and he loves match play,” Patrick Cantlay said. “His record speaks for itself. I think any time you have a chance to have that guy on your team, you want him.”

“I think Zach Johnson’s going to put Justin Thomas out there to hit the first shot.”

Taylor Zarzour and Jason Sobel talk about who might hit the opening tee shot for the Americans on Friday morning.@JasonSobelTAN I @rydercup pic.twitter.com/OyoK907jGQ

— SiriusXM Ryder Cup Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) September 25, 2023

It’s a safe bet that Thomas isn’t listening to that noise either. He says his focus is renewed after the faith that Johnson and the rest of Team USA has put into him.

“I’m just in a good headspace, and for me, that’s what’s most important,” Thomas said.

Cover Image via CBS Sports