Report: Justin Thomas parts ways with coach on eve of Ryder Cup

Justin Thomas has reportedly put his father 'in the background' and parted ways with his putting coach John Graham, according to a report.

Ben Smith

07 Sep 2023

Report: Justin Thomas parts ways with coach on eve of Ryder Cup

Justin Thomas has put his father and coach Mike Thomas 'in the background' and parted ways with his putting coach, according to a report.

Per Todd Lewis, it is said that Thomas has decided to split with his putting coach John Graham.

Graham has been part of the Thomas team since December 2020. His father has always been his only swing coach.

Update: JT's father responds

Former World No.1 Thomas has endured a difficult campaign in which he missed cuts in three of the four major championships.

He finished outside the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup which meant he missed out on competing on the playoffs for the first time in his career.

Ryder Cup 2023: Predicting the pairings for Team Europe and Team USA

Despite a frustrating season, he has the backing of Zach Johnson who named him as one of his six captain's picks for the Ryder Cup.

"You just don't leave JT at home," Johnson said enthusiastically of the two-times major champ. For his part, Thomas, 30, acknowledged he was fortunate to get a pick.

Unsurprisingly, Thomas has been working hard on his game since he got the nod from Johnson.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by . (@golfmagic)

And he's made some tweaks to his coaching team amid a downturn in form.

"He is still working with his father, Mike, as his swing coach but not as much right now," Lewis reported for Golf Channel, adding:

"He's kinda put his father a little bit in the background. They've worked it out together. JT wants to own his swing. Mike wasn't with him at the Wyndham Championship this year when he tried to make the playoffs so he's kinda digging it out in the dirt himself but still consulting with his father who - by the way they still have a wonderful relationship - but that's where he is with his swing right now.

"In regards to his putting he has struggled with his putting. And the same is true with his putting, he has parted ways with John Graham who has worked who has been his putting coach for a while. He's worked with him on AimPoint. I don't know if this is a permanent thing or a temporary pause right now but he is trying to figure out his putting by himself."

Watch:

NEW TODAY: @ToddLewisGC reports adjustments to Justin Thomas' coaching team ahead of the Ryder Cup.
Could these changes help power him to a bounce-back performance at Marco Simone? Let us know what you think! pic.twitter.com/2XyrntwJ7x
— Golf Today (@GCGolfToday) September 5, 2023

Thomas has frequently discussed what it is like to have his father as a coach.

In May, he made it clear that out on the course it's business first.

"I mean, I have to remind him sometimes, you're not my dad out here, you're my swing coach, and I need you to tell me if something is wrong," he said before the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

"I don't need my ego boosted. I'm here to try to win a golf tournament and play well, so do your job kind of thing."

Read more:

Watched our latest YouTube video?