Justin Thomas loves Pebble Beach, even though he hasn’t played a tournament there since the 2019 U.S. Open.
The reason is the PGA Tour schedule, not because he dislikes the course. However, Thomas couldn’t miss out this time, as his AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is his 2024 marquee event.
And he believes he has a chance to win this week.
“I like the layout. This is a place where I know I’m going to get a lot of birdies,” Thomas said of Pebble Beach on Tuesday.
“I think that’s been a strength of my game in terms of distance control and being able to put some spin on the ball with short irons on really spinning, tough greens.” That’s something I enjoy doing. That’s what I’m doing. ”
Pebble Beach has the smallest greens of any course on the PGA Tour. It also has more ups and downs than other locations, which is a problem for many players every year. This week’s soft conditions will further complicate matters for the field, as Pebble’s Poa Anua Green will be more difficult to conquer.
Thomas sees that as an advantage for him. His otherworldly short game from inside 100 yards will give him an edge this week.
“Obviously it depends on how things go in terms of whether it’s solid or where it is now. The play is incredibly different between the U.S. Open in June and the U.S. Open this time of year,” Thomas said of his condition. talked about.
“So it’s a lot easier to play, shorter distances, and you don’t have to hit into the thicker parts of the greens. You can do a lot more with it being this soft. But still, the greens are very small… It’s going to be a little bumpier and harder to putt.”
Thomas missed the cut at the 2019 U.S. Open, finishing the second round with a 2-over 73 and winning at 4-over.
His only start at Pebble Beach was the 2014 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he also missed the cut. Thomas couldn’t break 70 and finished with two overs.
Nevertheless, the two-time major champion arrived in Monterey full of confidence after a disastrous 2023 season. He recently tied for third at the American Express, his best finish at an official PGA Tour event since the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.
In the past four world championships, Thomas has quietly finished in the top five in each start. In these tournaments, he won one or more shots per round on his approach shots on the field, a trait he needed to be successful at Pebble Beach.
“We’re very close. At this point, I think we’re just starting to win tournaments again,” Thomas said.
“I feel very close to making it happen, and I’m starting to do it often. But just because you think you do, doesn’t mean you deserve it and I also fully understand that that’s actually going to happen. I need to keep putting myself in that position and stay in contention.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
