Justin Thomas has admitted he is “very, very fortunate” to be given a wild card for this year’s Ryder Cup in Rome.
Thomas failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs on the PGA Tour and admitted it had been “humiliating and embarrassing” to card a second round of 81 in the US Open in June.
The two-time major winner also shot an opening 82 in the Open at Royal Liverpool and finished 15th in qualifying, behind both Cameron Young and Keegan Bradley and just one place above the in-form Lucas Glover.
However, United States captain Zach Johnson hailed Thomas as the “heart and soul” of American teams after selecting the former world number one along with Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth to face Europe at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club next month.
The wild cards join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Xander Schauffele on Johnson’s team, who will attempt to win on European soil for the first time since 1993.
“I have had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about what could happen and wanting to be on the team, wondering if I was or I wasn’t, and then I just came to the realisation that it was out of my hands and I couldn’t do anything about it,” Thomas said.
“After getting the call yesterday (Monday) from Zach I couldn’t sleep because I was so excited. It’s cool to be part of this team.
“You can want something too bad. I’m sure all of us have tried to win golf tournaments too much and have tried to force the issue, and there were potentially times this season I did.
“I’m very, very fortunate to be here and Zach has been very vocal and made it sound great that we are all equal on this team. I feel I’m just as important as everybody else and my team-mates have voiced that the same way.”
Johnson had earlier been fulsome in his praise of Thomas, who won four points from five matches on a losing side in Paris in 2018, including victory over Rory McIlroy in the opening match of the singles.
“Justin Thomas is one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour in my opinion,” Johnson said.
“He has been, without question, the heart and soul of US Ryder Cup teams, our emotional leader.
“Overall (he has) a fantastic Ryder Cup record. His passion for the Ryder Cup is very evident. In my mind he is born for this and you just don’t leave JT at home.”
Johnson admitted the topic of selecting LIV Golf players such as Dustin Johnson – who went 5-0 at Whistling Straits two years ago – and Bryson DeChambeau did come up, but that Koepka had been the only one to “seize the opportunity” of playing well in the majors.
Koepka only slipped out of the automatic qualifying places in the final event, having finished second in the Masters and winning his fifth major title in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
“A five-time major champion, he is built in my mind for the biggest of stages and there’s no bigger stage than the Ryder Cup,” Johnson said.
“It was a pretty easy pick, a very natural fit. He basically earned his way onto the team. Brooks is great in the team room.”
Johnson’s selections came a month after one of his vice-captains, former Masters champion Fred Couples, said on his own radio show that Homa, Spieth and Young would be given wild cards if they remained outside the automatic places.
Homa subsequently qualified and Spieth was duly selected but Young, who finished just 61 points behind Spieth in the standings, was left out.
“Cam, phenomenal player, a better person, he was nothing but class,” Johnson said of calling Young with the bad news.
“I know what was said (by Couples), but I think that was a while back, it was kind of in jest.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s Benjamin Martin claims victory at 57th Jamaica Open Golf Championship
Benjamin Martin of Trinidad and Tobago clinched his first title at the 57th Jamaica Open Golf Championship, held at the scenic Tryall Golf Course in Sandy Bay, Hanover, from Sunday, November 10, to Tuesday, November 12. Martin, who held a shared lead on day two with Mac McLear, maintained his composure on the final day, ultimately pulling ahead to secure a one-stroke victory.
Martin’s final round featured five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, finishing with a one-under-par 71 for a cumulative three-day score of seven-under-par 209. Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Martin said, “It was good. I didn’t quite have my A game today, but coming down the stretch, there was a good birdie on 16 and 17, so that was nice. I am very proud to be a champion here at the Jamaica Open. I came close twice with a third and a fourth, and I am happy to get it over the line and win this time.”
Close on Martin’s heels was Canada’s Jacob Lehman, who finished in second place with a score of six-under-par 210. The UK’s Mac McLear and France’s Pierre Viallneix shared third place, each ending with a five-under-par 211. Defending champion Andrew Arft of the United States struggled on the final day, finishing tenth at six-over-par 222.
Among Jamaican golfers, Justin Burrowes was the best-placed local pro, finishing ninth with a total score of 219. Burrowes expressed satisfaction with his performance but acknowledged room for improvement. “It was a good finish, but I would have wanted a better finish today. I shot three over but feel like I easily left three or four shots out there. Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty good performance—something to build on—and this is a tournament that I really want to win at some point in time,” Burrowes remarked.
Sebert Walker Jr., another top Jamaican finisher, placed 17th with a score of 229. Reflecting on his performance, Walker said, “It was a good event. Obviously, I could have played better. I wanted to be in the top 10 or whatever they paid out regularly, but it was a good finish nonetheless, so I can’t complain.”
In the senior categories, Canada’s Allan McLean led the senior pro division with a score of 212, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Wayne Baptiste emerged victorious in the senior amateur section with a score of 235.
Jamaica Golf Association (JGA) President Jodi Munn-Barrow was thrilled with the successful outcome of the tournament. “We are so grateful. We had more players than expected, and they all came down. It was three thrilling days of golf. Benjamin Martin, our winner, had to get up and down on 18 to win by a shot, so we could not have wanted a better outcome. We are very grateful that the weather held out as well, and we were once again able to stage a very successful Jamaica Open.”
Scott Summy of Aqua Bay, a major sponsor, along with new sponsor Vybwear, echoed the sentiments of excitement. “I think it’s been great. Obviously, this is our fifth year, and we are very happy with the tournament. We love the Jamaica Open Golf Tournament and part of what we like is the beauty of Tryall, the beauty of Jamaica, the beauty of the people, and seeing competitors from all over the world come and compete in the Jamaica Open.”
Martin’s victory, sealed in a thrilling final day, marks a memorable chapter in the storied history of the Jamaica Open and sets the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Lawrence aiming to overhaul 'idol' McIlroy in Race to Dubai chase
Thriston Lawrence said winning this week's DP World Tour Championship and overhauling Rory McIlroy to clinch the Race to Dubai title would "mean the world" to him.
Lawrence is the only player who can prevent McIlroy from winning the Race to Dubai title – formerly the Order of Merit – and joining the late Seve Ballesteros on six and going only two behind Colin Montgomerie's record.
The South African, however, needs a victory at Jumeirah Golf Estates and then needs Northern Irishman McIlroy to finish tied for 11th or lower.
McIlroy finished third at the Abu Dhabi Championship last weekend, crucially finishing a shot ahead of Lawrence as Paul Waring claimed his second DP World Tour success, and his first title in six years.
Lawrence has had five runner-up finishes - including at The Open and the BMW PGA Championship - and five more top-10s during an impressive campaign.
It leaves him currently 1,785 points behind McIlroy with 2,000 available to the winner in Dubai, and Lawrence is relishing the opportunity of competing against his "idol".
"It's nice to have a chance," Lawrence said in his pre-tournament press conference. "It's going to take a lot, but just incredible to have an opportunity. I'm very grateful just to be inside the top 50 to be able to compete this week.
"It has been an unbelievable year. Rory [McIlroy] has been an idol for me since growing up as a youngster and being able to clinch it this week would be the cherry on the cake for myself.
"It would mean the world - being the best golfer on the European Tour over the year is an unbelievable achievement.
"Sitting here right now, I've achieved a lot of things that I've wanted to. But to get this trophy behind me would just be unbelievable."
Lawrence won twice on the DP World Tour in each of his first two seasons and has since moved inside the world's top 50 despite his only 2024 victory coming on the Sunshine Tour, with the 27-year-old proud of his progression as a golfer.
"The consistency has been the highlight," Lawrence added. "Finishing in the top 10 ten times this year proves that I'm growing as a golfer, and I'm getting more comfortable out here.
"Obviously, ranking-wise, it's the best season I've had in my life. I won twice in my rookie year, twice last year. This year, I won on the Sunshine Tour, which is nice.
"I always feel like with the strength of golfers in today's time, winning on any tour is quite an achievement.
"Not won on this tour yet, but there is still one event left, so maybe it's my time this week. Where I am now, it just feels comfortable.
"It feels like I can win every week. Just to see myself grow from two years ago is just unbelievable."
T&T's Martin joins American McClear atop leaderboard ahead of final day at Jamaica Open
Trinidad and Tobago’s Benjamin Martin joined American Mac McClear atop the standings at the 57th Jamaica Open Golf Championships after another positive display on Monday’s second day of action at Tryall Golf Club in Hanover.
Both Martin and McClear are tied at six under par 138 heading into Tuesday’s final day, which will determine this year’s Jamaica Open champion.
Martin, who shot 70 on Sunday’s first day, showed great composure to achieve a four under par 68 on day two, a performance that propelled him into contention for top honours.
“It’s always nice to lead, and I hope it can stay that way for the final round. It is key to stick to the routine, take it one shot at a time, and try your best,” Martin said.
Interestingly, Jacob Lehman of Canada also posted a four under par 68 to move fifth overall at two under par.
McClear, who scored a one under par 71 for the second round, acknowledged that he fell well short of his day one performance, a five under par 67.
“I didn’t have my best stuff today. I didn’t do a whole lot right, but I battled hard and am happy to be tied for the lead. I just have to do the same thing as I have been doing the last two days, which has been working so far, so I’ll just keep doing it,” he said.
Another American Ryan Sullivan and Frenchman Pierre Viallaneix are tied for third place on 139. They were just one stroke off the leaders, which makes for an exciting final day.
Justin Burrowes is the best-placed professional Jamaican golfer in seventh at 144, and he expressed pleasure with his performance in the championship so far.
“It feels good, I would say. I know I could do a little better for sure, but I feel like I am in a good spot after two days. I just have to keep on doing what I am doing, stick to the process, and kind of enjoy it. I feel like I have enjoyed it a lot more this year than last year, so that really helps when you are not focused on all of the external stuff, so I just plan to do more of the same tomorrow, hopefully some puts fall in and that’s about it,” Burrowes reasoned.
Meanwhile, Trey Williams, who recently excited the junior ranks, was having his best run at the Jamaica Open. His two-day score of six over par 150 puts him at three shots ahead of his nearest competitor in the amateur section.
Oshae Haye, the day one joint leader, ended the penultimate round three shots behind Williams on 153, while Sean Morris, the defending champion, occupied the third spot but was just one stroke back on 154 after shooting two over par 74 in the round.
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