Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Thursday 9 augusT 2018

Thomas steps out of the shadow of Spieth as PGA champion

By DOUG FERGUSON wasn't getting much atten-
AP Golf Writer tion because it had been
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A walk seven months since his last
from the driving range to victory. Any mention of
the 10th tee at Bellerive Thomas included that he
took longer than usual for was "Jordan Spieth's bud-
Justin Thomas. dy."
One marshal wanted an Thomas hasn't heard that in
autograph. Another want- a while.
ed a selfie. He won the PGA Champi-
He made it under the tun- onship at Quail Hollow (Spi-
nel to find two more people eth was among those who
stopping him for pictures. hung around to share in the
Thomas eventually made it moment) added a FedEx
up the stairs, onto the put- Cup playoff event (Spieth
ting green and up a slight was the runner-up), cap-
hill to the tee box with thou- tured the FedEx Cup and
sands of fans crammed on the $10 million bonus and
both sides and every seat in swept all the big awards,
the grandstands occupied. just like Spieth had done
That's where some degree two years earlier. Dating to
of normalcy returned. last year at the PGA, Thom-
He was playing with Tiger as has won five times. Spi-
Woods. eth has gone more than a
This was only Wednesday year without winning. Justin Thomas watches his tee shot on the 15th hole during a practice round for the PGA
afternoon, and it's certain Thomas has come into his Championship golf tournament at Bellerive Country Club, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, in St. Louis.
to be far more boisterous own. Associated Press
for the start of the 100th "My last couple of wins, or
PGA Championship when maybe last year probably is J.B. Holmes and what felt ratchet up the hysteria that plenty more like them, from
Thomas tries to become when ... I started to get out like half the state of Missouri perhaps another major is in Dustin Johnson growing
only the second player in of that shadow," Thomas — made it a true practice the cards. This is his first PGA impatient about not win-
60 years of stroke play to said. round. Thomas plays the Championship since 2015, ning a major in two years
successfully defend his title. This is a deep friendship that opening two days with which was the first one to Spieth getting another
The other was Woods, who transcends any rivalry, and Woods and Rory McIlroy. Thomas played. crack at the career Grand
has done it twice. Thomas was never overly Woods might be bigger "It will be pretty crazy out Slam, to Rickie Fowler trying
"Being the deepest field bothered by the mention of now than when he was there," Thomas said. "There's to shed the label as among
in golf and a great golf being Spieth's close friend. winning, perhaps because going to be a lot of people, the best without a major.
course and a lot of play- He understood that Spieth, fans had every right to I know that. ... So yeah, it "It's the last opportunity to
ers trying to knock off that who turned pro a year ear- wonder if they would ever will be a cool week. It will win one," Justin Rose said.
major here at the end of lier and effectively had a see him again, or see him be cool for him to be back, "A good year becomes
the year that haven't got- two-year start on him, has when he was capable of and he obviously has a lot a phenomenal year with
ten one yet this year ... any more majors, has won more posting low scores. Coming of great success in this tour- a major championship.
tournament is a tough one tournaments, reached No. off a fourth back surgery, nament, as he does most of It's what I build my year
to win, but this one espe- 1 first and stayed there lon- Woods has made it through the ones he's played in." around. So absolutely,
cially is," Thomas said. ger. eight months without any The players with Woods you're very keenly aware
Thomas is coming off his "I've always been my own health issues — though he on Wednesday — and for that this is the last oppor-
first World Golf Champion- guy," Thomas said, "but I did have an ice bath after the next two days — were tunity. ... If you find yourself
ship title last week at Fires- was perceived by the me- a long week in the heat at telling. Koepka has won in contention down the
tone and is among the fa- dia as his buddy. Which is Firestone — and has shown the last two U.S. Opens. stretch, you'll be fully aware
vorites at Bellerive, which fine." flashes. Thomas is the PGA cham- of what this means."
was starting to dry out from There remains another The most recent was at the pion and No. 2 player in For Thomas, a place in the
downpours earlier in the shadow that was even British Open, when he had the world. McIlroy began record book with Woods.
week. stronger at Bellerive, and the lead in the final round his run of four majors in a For Spieth, a place among
A year ago, Thomas was Thomas fully expects that. for two holes in the final four-year stretch about the the most elite group in golf.
one of those guys who had Playing with Woods — round until fading to a tie time Woods began dealing For Woods, the defining
yet to win a major, and he along with Brooks Koepka, for sixth. All that did was with injuries. And there are moment of a comeback.q

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP '18: Facts about final major of the year

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Facts and Prize money: TBA ($10.5 Tiger Tales: Tiger Woods among the top eight quali- to May. Bellerive champi-
figures for the PGA Cham- million in 2017). has gone 37 starts on the fiers for the U.S. Ryder Cup ons: Gary Player (1965 U.S.
pionship: Winner's share: TBA ($1.89 PGA Tour since his last vic- team. With points counting Open), Nick Price (1992
Event: 100th PGA Champi- million in 2017). tory, and 27 majors since double and a big purse, PGA Championship),
onship. Defending champion: Jus- his last Grand Slam title. He the winner is virtually as- Camilo Villegas (2008 BMW
Site: Bellerive Country tin Thomas. is playing the PGA Cham- sured a spot on the team. Championship).
Club. Grand Slam: Jordan Spieth pionship for the first time Last shot at Glory's Last Key statistic: Tiger Woods is
Length: 7,316 yards. gets his second attempt at since 2015. Shot: The PGA Champi- the only player to win the
Par: 35-35_70. becoming the sixth play- Ryder Cup: The PGA onship will become the PGA Championship back-
Field: 156 players (136 tour er to capture the career Championship is the final second major starting to-back in stroke play.
pros, 20 club pros). Grand Slam. event for players to finish next year when it moves Woods did it twice.q