Justin Thomas (USA) spoke to himself when he missed a short distance putt during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in the opening of the New Year in January.
What Thomas said was an insult to the sexual minorities.
These inappropriate words were broadcast intact, and Thomas was caught in a devastating post-storm.
The accusations raged.
Ralph Lauren, a long-established apparel company, broke the sponsorship contract.
Citigroup, a major sponsor, pressured Thomas, saying that it would continue to donate only when part of the donation was donated as a donation for the improvement of LGBT rights.
Thomas lowered his head and apologized whenever he had a chance, and he even subsided the ripples by completing the personality education program, but he had to go through a difficult day.
In February, his grandfather Paul Thomas passed away.
Although his dream of becoming an American Professional Golf (PGA) tour player could not be fulfilled, his grandfather, who has been a golf instructor for his entire life, was Thomas’s first golf teacher and eternal mentor.
In the final round of the Phoenix Open, which was held the day after the news of his grandfather’s death, Thomas was pushed out of the competition.
Tiger Woods (USA), his closest friend on and off the course, was injured in a car accident, breaking both legs, and also shocked and saddened Thomas.
The disturbing incidents that followed each other were reflected in the grades as they were.
In the three tournaments held since third place in the Sentry Tournament of Champions, he never made it within 10th place.
It seemed to compete for the championship at the Phoenix Open, but collapsed in the final round and was pushed a tie to 13th place, and was eliminated from the cut at the Genesis Invitational.
He also tied for 15th in the Workday Championship.
Including the European Professional Golf Tour Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship cut, there are two cuts in four tournaments.
Thomas, who skipped the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and was ready to fly again after winning the 5th Major’ Players Championship on the 15th (Korean time).
Only in the 3rd and 4th rounds, he drove a 12-under par to regain his competitive advantage.
In the final round, which started with three strokes behind, he lost one stroke to the eighth hole, but reduced five strokes in the 9-12 holes, and only twice in the 16th hole (par 5), which was co-leader with Lee Westwood (England). Put the ball on the green and put a wedge into the game with a neat birdie.
“It was a tough game,” Thomas said.
I put up with it really well,” he said, suggesting that showing patience was the driving force behind winning the reversal at the moment when we walked back to the 8th hole following the par march to the 7th hole.
On this day, he only missed the green once.
Thomas said, “I’ve never had a good shot like this in my entire life.”
With this victory, Thomas reached the 14th top in his career in seven months after conquering the FedEx St. Jude Invitational in August last year.
Thomas is fourth after Woods, Johnny Miller, and Jack Nicklaus (above the United States) to reach 14 wins before turning 28.
It has also laid a foothold to regain the world’s No. 1 position, which it lost in August of last year.
“It’s been hard for the past few months,” he said.
I went through a number of things I had never experienced before.
It was particularly difficult mentally,” he said, “it was a big test for me mentally, physically, psychologically, and I am proud of having overcome it.”
Thomas turned the ball to his family, caddies, managers, and so on, saying, “I’m particularly grateful for the team who helped me overcome the difficulties.”
Thomas’ coach is his father Mike Thomas.
He burst into tears at the end of his longing for his grandfather, who was also his first teacher and his father Mike’s mentor.
Thomas said, “I can’t talk to my grandfather anymore, but he’ll be watching from heaven.”
His best friend Woods’ advice was also helpful, he said.
He said, “I recounted a lot of advice from Woods in my mind.”
“I’m so happy to win the Players Championship for the first time,” said Thomas, “a day never to be forgotten.”
/yunhap news