What’s in the Bag: PGA Champion Justin Thomas

It’s no longer a matter of time for Justin Thomas.

The longtime friend of Jordan Spieth and son of a PGA club professional won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Thomas’s first major victory was a product of patience and timely shot making (including a deft short game) on a long, tough layout that left others grumbling. His final-round 68 and 8-under total of 276 was good for a two-shot margin over Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Louis Oosthuizen.

“As a kid growing up, you want to win all the majors,” Thomas, 24, told the media. “You want to win any major. For me, the PGA definitely had a special place in my heart, and maybe a special drive. It’s just a great win for the family, and it’s a moment we’ll never forget — all of us.”

Despite a leaderboard that was jammed with players vying for the Wanamaker Trophy—including 54-hole leader Kevin Kisner and world No. 3 ranked Hideki Matsuyama—it became clear this PGA Championship belonged to Thomas. A birdie putt at 10 fell in the hole after hanging on the lip for 12 seconds. He then chipped in for birdie at 13 and ripped a 7-iron over water to set up a clinching birdie on the 221-yard par-3 17^th hole.

“So awesome, dude.” Spieth said to Thomas after he walked off the 18^th green.

Pound for pound, Thomas, who weighs about 150, surely hits the ball as long as anybody. Averaging 327.9 yards, he ranked first in driving distance at Quail Hollow, according to PGATOUR.COM. On the greens, Thomas was fourth in strokes gained.

It’s no wonder he’s the new PGA champion.

Justin Thomas’s Clubs

Driver: Titleist 917D3, 9.5 degrees,

3 Wood: Titleist 917F2, 15 degrees

5 Wood: Titleist 915Fd, 18 degrees

Irons: Titleist 716 CB (4 iron), Titleist 718 MB prototype (5-9 irons)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM5 (52-12F and 56-14F degrees), Titleist Vokey SM6 (46-10 F-Grind, 60 degrees)

Putter: Scotty Cameron X5 Flow Neck Prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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Neil Sagebiel

Neil Sagebiel is a golf writer and author of two golf books published by St. Martin's Press, THE LONGEST SHOT and DRAW IN THE DUNES. He lives in Floyd, Virginia.

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