Justin Thomas' biggest lesson for 2024? How to avoid “trouble” with part of coaching

Justin Thomas' memories of that time a year ago are, unsurprisingly, vivid, not only because he missed the PGA Tour playoffs, but also because it marked the end of a largely unexpected slump in performance by the two-time major winner.

Finally, Thomas said he tuned in because of the three postseason events – and he laughed while watching the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the thrilling playoff game.

Laughed?

Memphis seemed muddy to him in August, at least because of its seemingly air-conditioned environment.

“Every person I saw on TV,” Thomas said, “I thought I wanted to be there, but this sucks. Everyone looked like they might faint at any moment, it was that hot. I had a little fun with that.”

A week later, the BMW Championship took place at Olympia Fields south of Chicago. Thomas' wife Jill is from the area – and they were visiting their family during the tournament. “Of all weeks,” said Thomas.

How did it go?

“I've been to a few places and people have wished me luck this week and I obviously haven't played,” Thomas said.

“It was weird.”

This week, at this year's third and final stage of the postseason, the Tour Championship, such a review is only natural. After Sunday, the PGA Tour season is over. Only a handful of fall events remain. Professionals are reflecting. On Wednesday, at his pre-tournament press conference, Thomas was there. This year he has recovered. Five top 10 finishes. Eight top 25 finishes. And a start in the Tour Championship, where only 29 other players are playing.

All of this naturally led to a question: What exactly is different from a year ago? Thomas, it seems, had thought about it himself.

His answer was that he was coached. It was a bit complex; Thomas is mainly coached by his father Mike. Maybe others can learn something from this too.

“I think the worst thing that got me in trouble, and I do sometimes, is I just lost control,” Thomas said. “I feel like — it's not the coaches' fault, but I always had too many people around me and it was — I felt like I was too dependent on everybody, whether it was my dad or a putting coach or whatever.

“It works for some people, but I've always been really good at adjusting in the middle of a round. I wasn't afraid to change my grip or change a swing thought or anything like that on the course because I thought, this isn't working, so I have to do something different, whereas I felt like I lost that responsibility and sense of accountability when my dad was always here.

It wasn't that it didn't work. I got used to hitting and thought, “What's the point?” I lost my whole self, so to speak.

“I just feel like acknowledging that and being able to figure things out better on my own has helped me play better this year and I feel like it's going to help me continue to play better.”

How did Thomas make the change?

He said it was difficult.

“It was just — I mean, just communication,” Thomas said. “It's awkward, especially when your coach is your dad and I tell him, I don't want you to be here this week. And it's not that I don't want my dad here this week; I don't want my coach here this week. I think we've even had that this year.”

“I remember the PGA season at Valhalla this year. I played great and felt good all around. When we landed in Louisville, I told my dad, 'This is going to be an emotionally tough week for me. There's a lot going on.' [Thomas is from Louisville.] I thought I didn't need my coach this week, I needed my dad. I thought I was fine. I feel good about everything. I like where things are going. I don't necessarily want you here as a coach this week, but I need my dad. I need the person that's going to be there that I can talk to.

“It's a lot up to me and everyone involved to just communicate that, because if I don't say anything, of course they'll never know.”

The result? To be honest, his season performance was a mixed bag. He missed the cut in two of four majors (Masters and US Open). In the other two, he finished eighth (PGA Championship) and 31st (Open Championship). He only missed two other cuts all year. But Thomas never won.

Still, he is among the 30 at East Lake Golf Club – even though he was the 30th qualifier – and his first round begins at 11:16 a.m. Thursday.

And that's all better than the couch. Others will watch him this week.

“Yeah, it's always a good year when you finish the year here in Atlanta,” Thomas said. “Last year, it was very motivating not being here and watching on TV. This is a place where I've obviously had some success, but I also just really enjoy it. I think it's a great place. I think it's getting harder and harder to make it to East Lake and be part of the Tour Championship.”

“I admit that for a while I took it for granted that I would be here every year. But you have to play really good, solid golf. That's an achievement.”

Even though I'm number 30, I'm still happy to be here and can't wait to get started.”

Nick Piastowski

Golf.com Publisher

Nick Piastowski is a senior editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for editing, writing and developing stories related to all things golf. And when he's not writing about how to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native is probably playing golf, hitting the ball left, right and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash down his score. You can reach him about any of these topics – his stories, his game or his beers – at [email protected].