PGA Tour star Justin Thomas fires back at critic: "I respectfully disagree"

Justin Thomas says he's looking forward to being victorious on the PGA Tour again as soon as possible after he was told by one fan that he'll "never win again". 

The American was forced to begin his season later than usual after undergoing back surgery following the Ryder Cup. 

Through 14 starts, Thomas has posted one top-five finish and two top-10s on the PGA Tour. 

The men's major season passed with Thomas unable to mount a serious challenge for his third major title, with his best finish a share of fourth at the PGA Championship. 

Thomas also shared 17th place at the U.S. Open, finished 41st at The Masters and tied for 65th at last week's Open. 

It's not a disastrous season by any stretch of the imagination, but it was enough for one of his fans to call him out directly on X. 

His compatriots, Jordan Spieth and Max Homa, also came under fire by the user kcburton.

They wrote: “Having Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Max Homa as my favourite golfers is so hard. 

"The amount of downfall they have endured is unbelievable. 

"And really none of the three have convinced me they can win again."

Thomas replied: 

Despite his struggles, Thomas has already proven that he can win again after enduring a lengthy dry spell. 

Last April, Thomas won the RBC Heritage by defeating Andrew Novak in a sudden-death playoff at Harbour Town Golf Links.

It marked his 16th PGA Tour victory and brought an end to a 1,064-day winless drought dating back to the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, where he defeated Will Zalatoris in a thrilling playoff.

The RBC Heritage win was a significant moment for Thomas, who had faced growing questions about whether he could return to the form that saw him become the world number one. 

The drought was an extremely difficult period for the two-time major champion. 

In 2023, he missed the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career and also failed to qualify for the 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup team.

The low point was undoubtedly Thomas firing rounds of 82-71 to miss the cut at the 2023 Open. 

A visibly frustrated Thomas told reporters at the time: "I'll hit shots like a number one player in the world, and then I'll make a nine on the last hole of the tournament.

"I don't know if it's a focus thing or I'm just putting too much pressure on myself or what it is, but when I figure it out, I'll be better for it."

Thomas is not in danger of missing the playoffs this year. He is currently ranked 38th in the FedEx Cup standings. 

The playoffs begin in August at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

The top 70 in the standings qualify for the first playoff event and only 50 advance to the BMW Championship. 

The season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake features a 30-man field.

It's understood the format for the PGA Tour's season finale will be different this year and will feature some form of match play.