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A20 SPORTS
Tuesday 15 May 2018
Justin Thomas reaches No. 1 in the world

By DOUG FERGUSON ing the PGA Championship TPC Sawgrass. But he three-
AP Golf Writer and a FedEx Cup playoff putted the 13th, chopped
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. event. up the 14th for a double
(AP) — Justin Thomas has But this season alone, his bogey, and that was that.
come a long way in 18 worst finish in ranking events Johnson’s stay at No. 1 was
months. is a tie for 22nd. the longest by any players
All the way to No. 1 in the Thomas was projected to since Tiger Woods was at
world. get to No. 1 after this week the top for five years end-
He had one PGA Tour vic- and could have done it ing in 2010. Rory McIlroy,
tory and was No. 35 in the by missing the cut if John- Jordan Spieth and Jason
world in October 2016 son had finished out of Day didn’t last more than
when he began a steady the top 11. “I would much two weeks at No. 1 the first
rise through a deep field rather shoot 10 under on time they got there.
of stars. Thomas won seven the weekend and earn “I want to have it for a re-
times in a span of 32 tour- it as opposed to missing ally long time because that
naments around the world, the cut and have DJ not means I’m playing better
including his first major. The play well,” Thomas said. than everybody else for an
final step to the top of the “DJ’s a hell of a player. If extended period of time,”
ranking was an illustration he’s not playing well, he’s Thomas said when he fin-
of how he got there. He kind of like me this week. ished his final round. “Get
made the cut on the num- He’s hanging around, he’ll hot for a year, couple years
ber at The Players Champi- Justin Thomas hits from the ninth tee, during the final round of back-door a top 10 or just and then fall off the map,
onship, had a 68-66 week- The Players Championship golf tournament Sunday, May 13, play his way into a good that doesn’t really mean a
end and tied for 11th. 2018, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. finish. And that’s why he’s whole lot to me.”
That was enough to end Associated Press been No. 1 in the world for Thomas plans to return at
Dustin Johnson’s 64-week text message while flying Thomas became the 21st a year now.” Johnson still the Memorial. He is not as-
atop the world ranking. home to south Florida for a player and seventh Ameri- had a say in the matter. A sured of being No. 1 when
“I’m very proud to have two-week break. “Have to can to reach No. 1 since two-way tie for fifth would he returns because Spieth,
gotten there, but it means continue to work hard with the world ranking began in have been enough, mean- who went up one spot to
more to me how long I can how well so many guys are 1986. He was helped by five ing Johnson needed a 33 No. 3, is playing the next
hold it,” Thomas said in a playing.” victories last year, includ- on the back nine at the two weeks.q