Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match
Thomas explained how he found out his FedEx Cup journey was still alive through his friend Smylie Kaufman.
Justin Thomas made it as the No. 30 player in the Tour Championship for the FedEx Cup finale.
He left the BMW Championship with a T-39 finish and the notion that his offseason had begun.
The stress mounted as the afternoon continued, so Thomas got on a flight and headed home to South Florida instead of Atlanta.
With him on the bubble, he fought to watch every shot and relax on the ride home.
Thomas admitted that after the first round of the Tour Championship, his long-time friend Smylie Kaufman helped him.
“Smiley [Kaufman] was calling the past couple groups, and I hope I don’t get him in trouble; he was texting me live updates because wifi wasn’t great,” Thomas said. “He was sending me pictures of lies, telling me what was going on. I have Smiley to thank a lot for the updates.”
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match
Kaufman informed him that he had earned the No. 30 spot in the FedEx Cup standings while Thomas was almost back to Florida.
Alex Noren fell down the leaderboard and gifted Thomas a Tour Championship opportunity.
It all worked out for the 15-time PGA Tour winner, and it seemed to humble him.
“I took for granted being here. I do feel like I should be here, but I just felt like it was an automatic; [that’s] just not the case,” Thomas said. “It’s a brutal sport. With the condensed schedule it’s harder even. You have to play solid golf to get in the top 50, let alone the top 30.”
“Very proud to be here. Feel like although there is plenty of tournaments I would’ve liked to finish better or have a win or two this year, I’m still proud that I am here and have a chance. So just keep building off that.”
Thomas took advantage of the Tour Championship opportunity, opening the tournament with a 5-under 66. He shot up the leaderboard, giving himself a chance to finish well in the FedEx Cup standings.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
