Charlotee, NC …
Witnessing Justin Thomas being embraced yesterday by his father, Mike on the final green at Quail Hollow rekindled memories of Fathers Day 2010 when new U.S. Open champion, Graeme and his very proud father, Kenny came together in equally emotional scenes on the final green at Pebble Beach.
Golf’s newest Major winner could not have chosen a more appropriate victory breakthrough than capturing the PGA Championship.
Among the first to greet the already teary-eyed American was his father who was a golf bag full of emotion for all 18 holes at Quail Hollow.
Mike Thomas proudly embraces his son, Justin in capturing the PGAChampionship.
Mike Thomas has been the head professional since 1990 at the Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Kentucky.
And there could not have been a prouder moment for him than seeing his 24-yard son lift the gleaming Rodman Wanamaker Trophy.
“I told him, that’s f—ing unbelievable,” was Mike Thomas’ first words to his son.
“It’s really special, it’s really cool.”
In fact, Thomas becomes the eighth son of a PGA Tour pro to win the PGA Championship and in a list that includes Doug Ford (1955), Jack Burke Jnr (1956), Dave Marr (1965), Ray Floyd (1969 & 1982), Davis Love 111 (1997), Rich Beem (2002) and Keegan Bradley (2011).
No doubt and just like McDowell and also Rory McIlroy growing up and spending relentless hours on the golf course, so too did Thomas.
And Thomas revealed the ‘games’ he would play with his father and also beloved grandfather growing-up in Louisville, Kentucky.
“We used to always play for a dollar playing nine holes late at night, probably seven or eight o’clock when my dad was done teaching, picking the range, working, whatever, and I would be at the range and hitting balls and at the course all day,” said Thomas.
Ten years ago the celebraton of father and son with Graeme and Kenny McDowell with the US Open trophy.
“We got to the point where I was competitive enough that I probably played men’s tees maybe or the ladies tees, I don’t know.
“But I was at a young age — I’ve always been competitive, but I wanted to beat him and he wanted to beat me. My dad was playing enough back then to where he was a good player.
“So, we’d play for a dollar, and it was pretty heated out there.
“And I’m a pretty sore loser, so I did not handle it well when I lost and had to give up a dollar.
“Also, it probably came from my dad’s pocket anyway (smiling). I don’t know what age that stopped, when it wasn’t competitive anymore on the other side.
“But we always had chipping contests, putting contests, and now we’re just enjoying the ride together.”
Thomas’ victorious Quail Hollow ride earned him a cool $US 1.89m and has boosted his earnings this season to $7,094,741 and second on the 2016/17 PGA Tour money list.
Also, Thomas has leaped from 14th to World No. 6 on the rankings and with Rory McIlroy still at No. 4.
Shane Lowry remains at No. 83 while McDowell has dropped a spot to 110.
Lowry and McDowell will tee-up later this week, and also in North Carolina, for the Wyndham Championship and the final event of the ‘regular’ season before the top-125 on the money list head into the Play-Offs.
Lowry finds himself lying at 145th and 20 spots outside of qualifying for the opening event next week on New York’s Long Island.
“I need a really good result this week at the Wyndham, so I will just go out there and see what I need to do and try and do it,” said Lowry.
And right on the cusp of qualifying for the Play-Offs and also needing decent finishes in Greensboro is fellow Irish Seamus Power (123rd) and McDowell (131st).
