CROMWELL, Conn. — Sometimes you just need to see the ball go through the net. When your shot is off, take it to the rack for an easy bucket.
That’s what Justin Thomas is doing this week at the Travelers Championship, and it’s good to see.
After tying for 65th at the PGA Championship and missing the cut at both the Memorial and U.S. Open, Thomas was in a tough spot.
“It’s definitely the lowest I’ve felt. It’s pretty honestly humiliating and embarrassing shooting scores like that,” Thomas said after his two days at Los Angeles Country Club.
The 30-year-old posted a second-round 81 at the U.S. Open and seemed lost. Fast forward a few days, and Thomas was in Cromwell, Connecticut, getting ready for the final designated event of the regular season at TPC River Highlands.
His history at the Travelers isn’t fantastic, making four cuts in seven starts and posting a career-best third-place finish in 2016. But the golf course is known for giving up low scores, making it the perfect place to see the ball go through the net.
That wasn’t the story Thursday, as Thomas posted an opening-round even-par 70. All of a sudden, the Louisville native needed a great round on Friday to make the cut — which ended up being 4 under.
He delivered, firing a 6-under 64. It could have been even better, but bogeys on 17 and 18 probably made his dinner taste a little bitter.
But on a rain-soaked TPC River Highlands on Saturday, Thomas got off to a quick start.
After a par on No. 10 — Thomas started on the back nine — the 15-time Tour winner birdied the par-3 11th and the par-4 12th. His momentum took a hit thanks to a bogey at 14, but he got it right back and then some with circles at the drivable par-4 15th and 16th.
Thomas added another birdie at the 18th and went out with a 4-under 31.
Once he made the turn, he added another birdie at the second before chipping in on the par-4 fourth, his highlight of the day.
16 birdies in his last 29 holes 👏@JustinThomas34 is currently T5 @TravelersChamp. pic.twitter.com/lLuqJvuL8t
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 24, 2023
He’d add two more circles to the card coming home, and Thomas signed for a third-round 8-under 62.
Speaking with CBS after his round, Thomas told Amanda Renner “I’m having fun playing golf this week.”
It’s easy to forget when you’re going through turbulence, but this game is supposed to be fun, and this week is serving as the perfect reminder for the 2022 PGA champ.
Thomas will continue his trek back to form in Detroit next week as he’s set to make his Rocket Mortgage Classic debut. With low scores in the forecast yet again — Tony Finau won at 26 under last year — it’s another opportunity for Thomas to see more easy buckets go through the net.
But first, it’s time to make a push for a title in New England.
