Following his US Ryder Cup loss, American golfer Justin Thomas has stayed out of the greens. That decision doesn’t come from the heartbreak of the narrow miss. Rather, it is rooted in his willingness to spend time with his family and make moments count. Shouldering responsibilities of a husband and a father, Thomas appeared for The Drop by the PGA Tour, explaining what has held the golfer after the Ryder Cup disappointment.

The Ryder Cup star explained his hiatus from golf after Bethpage, remarking, “I really basically enjoyed what felt like kind of a full two weeks of, of really nothing. I mean, I’m trying to just enjoy doing things with Molly and with Jill and, you know, just Frank. I mean, our whole fam are just getting to do things that I can’t necessarily do during the season.” 

During the regular season, golfers spend a lot of time traveling, preparing for, and competing in multiple events. Moreover, the weeks leading up to the Ryder Cup are some of the most grueling weeks a Ryder Cup golfer experiences. Coupled with the stress of representing the nation, it’s safe to say Thomas didn’t get enough time with his family. Now, with the golfing season in its quieter stretches, the American golfer is taking the opportunity to shift his priority.

Being a present dad for his daughter, Molly, who will be turning one this November, is one of his biggest priorities, as he shared. At the same time, Thomas is also keeping his body and his fitness in check, preparing for his future starts. “You know, Molly’s growing like a weed and just trying to be, be there and, and be the most kind of present and, you know, best dad I can be to her while slowly getting back into working out and then getting some kind of plan for the next couple months type thing,” Thomas shared in the interview.

This time with his family serves as a crucial mental crutch for the golfer who suffered a crushing defeat at Bethpage despite commendable performances. Thomas contributed an essential point to the team with his singles against Fleetwood. However, paired with DeChambeau, the PGA Tour pro struggled to convert their foursomes match.

The PGA Tour pro’s next start comes at the exclusive Skins Game on Black Friday (Nov. 28). Known for its unique reverse prize purse, Thomas will tee it up against Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele. The pro golfer will also compete against his Ryder Cup captain, Keegan Bradley, at the event.

However, for the moment, Thomas is focused on creating memories with his family and making his golf break count. The golfer already experienced a difficult year with the passing away of his grandmother. Naturally, that makes the family time even more profound, with Thomas surfing the waves of new fatherhood with Molly.

Justin Thomas’ journey from fairways to family

While the Ryder Cup might have left the US Team members disappointed, the opportunity to be present for Molly has definitely put a smile on Justin Thomas’ face. Indeed, Molly holds a special place in the golfer’s heart with her arrival marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Thomas and his wife, Jillian, welcomed their daughter, Molly Grace, last year, on November 18. Celebrating his journey into fatherhood, Thomas posted the moment on Instagram, referring to his wife as a “superhero.” This personal transformation has been evident in his approach to life and golf.

That strength showed up in April, this year, at the RBC Heritage. The pro golfer ended his winless drought with an impressive 17-under and a seat-gripping playoff against Andrew Novak. After clinching the trophy, his wife and daughter joined him on the 18th green. Overcome with emotion, Thomas remarked, “I’ve worked my butt off and stayed patient, stayed positive. I got a great wife, great team, and now a great daughter.”

Another heart-touching moment came at the Genesis Invitational in February, where golf legend Tiger Woods met the infant, highlighting the special connections formed through family. In a clip shared by the PGA Tour, the golf phenom appeared to coo over the infant who was cradled in her father’s chest.

Apparently, Thomas has always found time for his family, and especially his little daughter. A dog named Franklin completes their family, supporting Thomas through the ups and downs of the sport. While the golfing world awaits Thomas’ return, the golfer is enjoying some much-needed recharge time with his family.