Justin Thomas becomes first American to give Ryder Cup crowd a piece of his mind
Justin Thomas provided the first real bit of sass during the 2023 Ryder Cup in his match against Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton.
Justin Thomas is all too aware he is playing this Ryder Cup with a target on his back.
A captain's pick after a dreadful season. If they lose, it will be on him, some barked on social media.
But Thomas boasts a 6-2-1 Ryder Cup record, including 3-0-0 in the fourballs, which is why he was sent out in the afternoon session at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome with Jordan Spieth.
They were playing Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland and their match ebbed and flowed, eventually heading down the 18th.
Spieth was having a so-so day and was 2-under par playing his own ball when this moment arrived on the 15th.
He was faced with a putt from just inside 10ft to tie the hole. He stepped over it, lined it up, shuffled his feet.
He was ready to go. Until he wasn't. He stepped off and then the crowd let him have both barrels.
Thomas, 30, composed himself and then slotted it straight into the centre of the cup. And didn't he just love showing us how he felt.
The two-times major champion was whooping and hollering all the way until the 16th tee box.
Watch the moment here:
JT is delivering. @justinthomas34 | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/63EU0vHgbE
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
Thomas was benched for the morning session. Team USA got off to a dreadful start, losing 4-0.
Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns lost the opening match 4&3 to Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg smashed Brian Harman and Max Homa 4&3.
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka saw off Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa 2&1.
And Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood defeated Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 2&1.
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