Justin Thomas will enter next week’s PGA Championship in a confident mood after ending his three-year trophy drought by winning the RBC Heritage in April. The 32-year-old hadn’t enjoyed success since his 2022 PGA Championship triumph before beating Andrew Novak in a dramatic playoff at Harbour Town Golf Links.
First, he’s eyeing glory at the Philadelphia Cricket Club to build on a fruitful season that has generated a win, two runner-up finishes and five top-10 placements. He has made fond memories on the North Carolina course, the venue of his 2017 PGA Championship triumph, and is considered among the frontrunners to clinch the Truist Championship on May 11.
But Thomas hopes that Rory McIlroy’s recent headline-stealing exploits, completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters, could play in his favour when the PGA Championship rolls around.
The former world No. 1 hopes to go under the radar while McIlroy grabs all the attention after his achievement at Augusta.
“I’d say yes and no. It would be easy to buy into that,” Thomas explained on Wednesday when asked whether he is guarding against complacency.
“To be perfectly honest, Rory winning the Masters probably helped with that because I think – rightfully so. Scottie [Scheffler] winning [the CJ Cup Byron Nelson] last week.
“Those two deserve all the spotlight and the favouritism that they’ll probably have next week. So I’m sure that is and was helpful for me.
“I’m sure I might feel a little bit differently when I get there, but like I said, I think I’ve been fortunate to have a couple of my peers play well. They may steal some of that from me.”
Thomas was also alluding to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club later in May, where he will be gunning for his third Wanamaker Trophy.
The American doesn’t just hope that McIlroy’s Masters victory grabs all the attention while he does his thing.
But he claims it has also served as a major motivation to add to the trophy cabinet and join the Northern Irishman among the golfing greats.
“Obviously, Rory winning the Grand Slam was huge. It was inspiring to me,” Thomas added at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.
“Obviously, it’s not like I didn’t realise I wanted to win a Grand Slam before that, but just that it’s even more motivating.”
He continued: “I’m not necessarily expecting it [a career Grand Slam]. I understand it can happen. I know that I just need to keep doing what I’m doing to put myself in the best position for it.”