The first event on the calendar is The Sentry. Being a signature event, it includes only limited golfers as per the qualification criteria. The current criteria allow the PGA Tour winners from the previous season and the top 50 players on the FedExCup points. However, this wasn’t the criteria earlier. Initially, the players who won the PGA Tour could only participate in the event.

The limited man’s field makes it unique from other events while making it a delight for the fans. But for every aspect, there are different perspectives attached to it. During the press conference at the Sentry, Justin Thomas, the 2-time champion of Sentry, was asked for his perspective about the event. However, his perspective differed from what the analysts claim.

Justin Thomas, who won his last event in 2022, qualified for this year’s Sentry, because of his FedExCup rankings, i.e. 30. Now when he was asked by the moderator, “I remember you won Medinah for your first win of the year, I think the only thing that had you over the moon was your spot here. I guess we can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube, but is there any part of you that liked the idea that it was winners only or not because you wouldn’t be here now?”

He agreed and shared his thoughts on liking the idea of the event. As teeing off in Hawaii, it offers a great opportunity for the fans to witness the game and top names at the course. He said, “Yes, I’m on both sides. I’m obviously glad to see where I was like a year ago where it couldn’t be the Sentry Tournament of Champions, you know what I mean, and it’s like the aspect of, yeah, there’s only way you know how to get there and you had to win, and I did think that was cool.”

Further adding to it, he said it is a great opportunity for the players and junior golfers of Hawaii. They get the chance to witness the top names on the field, unlike others who could attend the event at Memorial. The event makes the fans happy and Thomas likes that part of it. While in the end, he stated it was better for the tournament and everything along with him, too. As he said, “So I think it’s better for the tournament, it’s just better for everything. And then so — and it’s also better for me, selfishly, because I’m here this year, so I like that part.”

Justin Thomas’s perspective turned down by analysts

Along with Justin Thomas, there might be other professionals who would agree with what he said, but not the same for the other side of the golf world. With the latest No Laying Up podcast video shared on YouTube, the panel along with Tron Carter seemed to disagree. In the video, he said, “The one thing that kind of a little bit of a drawback these days is the fact that it’s no longer the tie of champions.”

The entire panel can be seen nodding to the statement. Even further, he said, just winning guarantees the spot at the Sentry. While he also focused on how big names who don’t show up even after winning. He quoted the names of Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson.

Similar to the coin having two sides, the golf world has its sides too, especially for the Sentry. As fans, what suits them the best is most important. What are your thoughts about the event? Do you still believe it should have only the winners? Share with us in the comments section below.