The golf world is abuzz with the team matches scheduled for this month. The Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup are among the two most anticipated events in the golfing cosmos taking place biennially to test the caliber, team effort, and leadership qualities of beloved golfers from around the world. One such player is Justin Thomas who was not expected to make the team.

This year has not been kind to Justin Thomas. The 30-year-old suffered several setbacks since the dawn of the 2022-23 season, which amounted to no wins or runner-up finishes. His game was suffering to the point where his wife had to remind him why he loves golf, not the results. Disheartening as his performance was, JT never gave up on his dream. His perseverance in the face of adversity resulted in him being one of the 6 picks by the US Team Captain.

Johnson’s evaluation of JT before the match play event in Italy

As the dates for the events get closer, Captain Zach Johnson who is leading Team US in the 2023 Ryder Cup decided on a team exercise at the Marco Simone Country Club outside of the capital of Italy. While there, he had some pretty interesting things to say about his 12-member team which included Justin Thomas.

Although he is a beloved golfer, the 2x Major winner was not a fan favorite for the 2023 Ryder Cup. if anything, he received some harsh criticism, and his selection was questioned. However, the good captain had a different perspective when he said, “JT has a natural ability of leading.” Given that the United States has not won the prestigious title on European grounds for a stretch of three decades, it seems like Thomas’s ability to lead the team accounted for his selection into the biennial event.

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“It’s just the way he goes about his work and his business. It’s attractive to the guys,” Johnson explained about JT. He had to make tough choices and he picked Thomas because he has faith in his abilities and his leadership qualities. He added during his chat with the media as reported by AP News, “It’s a pretty magnetic attribute I think he has in his personality. So then you couple that with his talent, it makes for a pretty awesome teammate.” The PGA Tour Pro’s leadership and peer relations were proven best after the Open Championship when he missed the cut but still encouraged the winner, Brian Harman.

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Despite the slump he has suffered this year, Justin Thomas has proved over and over again through the years that he is a terrific golfer with immense talent. His unique perspective of the game and the connection he builds with his peers certainly make him a good team member for the match play at the end of this month.

Why is JT’s selection under such scrutiny?

Due to his lack of wins or substantial finishes this year, apart from three top-10 finishes, Thomas has not been in the great limelight. When he was shortlisted, his selection was compared to American LIV Golfer Patrick Reed who has a solid record on the former Ryder Cup teams.

Additionally, JT missed 6 cuts out of the 20 PGA Tour events he played, including the Masters, US Open and The Open. His track record this season appears flawed, however, Captain Johnson recognizes his potential in the match play to be valuable.

Do you agree with Captain Johnson’s assessment of JT’s leadership qualities? How do you feel about Thomas making the 2023 Ryder Cup team? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.

Watch this story: ‘Back Into the Grind’: Amid the Backlash Owing to His Gameplay, Justin Thomas Gives a Stern Reply Unveiling His Gut-Wrenching ‘Off Time’