‘Change the Whole Trajectory’: 6X PGA Tour Champ Turns Advocate for Justin Thomas as the Latter’s Ryder Cup Pick Raises Fans’ Eyebrows

Published 08/30/2023, 9:20 PM EDT

Zach Johnson’s recent selection of Justin Thomas for the U.S. Ryder Cup team has become a point of contention in the golf community. After missing the FedEx Cup playoffs, choosing Thomas made some think it was more about friendship than his recent games.

Is selecting Justin Thomas for the Ryder Cup team a strategic masterstroke or a risky choice? What does a former PGA Tour winner think about this? Let’s dive deep into it.

This could change the whole trajectory

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U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Zach Johnson revealed his Captain’s Picks for the 44th Ryder Cup, slated for September 29 – October 1 at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy. The selected players include Sam Burns, Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas.

On the Rocco Hour show with his ex-caddie, Mark Murphy, former 6X PGA Tour Champ Rocco Mediate spoke about Justin’s selection for the Ryder Cup, saying, “Once he has the American flag on his bag, I think he’ll turn it around.” He mentioned once he thinks he is not playing for himself but for America, it will change everything.

Rocco emphasized Justin’s selection, noting, “This could change the whole trajectory of where he’s been.” He further emphasized by recalling how Norman mentioned Adam Scott a few years back, Even when Adam was not really good Norman believed in his potential, and Adam’s game soared afterward and he did really well after that. He continued, that it could be the same for Justin for sure.

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On the other hand, Jon Rahm from Team Europe expressed no surprise over the U.S. picks, suggesting the selections were somewhat expected. Thomas’s play over the year hasn’t been particularly impressive. With more missed cuts than top finishes and a track record of underwhelming plays in major tournaments, critics argue that players like Keegan Bradley, Cameron Young, and Lucas Glover would have been more deserving of a spot.

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The Crucial Choice Behind Thomas’s Selection

Johnson, however, remains steadfast in his choice, seeing potential in Thomas and arguing he was “In my mind, he was born for this, You just don’t leave JT at home.” The stakes are high for both Thomas and Johnson. With the upcoming Ryder Cup in Rome, all eyes will be on Thomas. If the U.S. team emerges victorious, Johnson’s decision will be hailed as a masterstroke. However, a loss might draw criticism towards both the captain and the controversial pick. Amidst the debate, the golfing world is keenly waiting for the matches in Rome.

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Will Johnson’s decision to pick Thomas prove fruitful or be a choice he laments? Weighing past successes against recent performance is tricky. Rome awaits to reveal the outcome. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

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Dimple Nakar is a budding golf writer at EssentiallySports. The job brings together two of her strongest passions: writing and golf. Dimple’s love for the sport extends far beyond the main players like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson; she also has immense love for the growth golf is currently seeing through LIV Golf and the merger of the two sides.

Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe

‘Change the Whole Trajectory’: 6X PGA Tour Champ Turns Advocate for Justin Thomas as the Latter’s Ryder Cup Pick Raises Fans’ Eyebrows

This could change the whole trajectory

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The Crucial Choice Behind Thomas’s Selection