Justin Thomas Shows why he was Named to Ryder Cup Team

American golf fans didn't have much to enjoy during the first day of the Ryder Cup, being played on the other side of the planet in Italy. Not only did NBC struggle with the broadcast, but the USA team was swept in the morning four-man session, and managed just three ties in the afternoon four-ball play.

Down 6 1/2- 1 1/2, the United States is in a huge hole already and will need a major comeback over the final two days at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. However, should that happen, remember what former Alabama Crimson Tide standout Justin Thomas did on the 15th hole.

After not playing in the morning, Thomas, who was teamed with Jordan Spieth in the first best ball match of the afternoon against Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton, had a par putt to halve the hole, and backed off the putt. As soon as he did, the vocal crowd was on him with jeers and whistles while he readjusted his line and stepped back into the putt.

The taunts appeared to have the opposite effect of their intention, and not only did Thomas drain the eight-foot putt but immediately turned around to the European spectators and gave them a long, silent stare.

JT is delivering. 📬@justinthomas34 | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/63EU0vHgbE
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023

However, the 30-year-old couldn't hit a key putt on the subsequent hole and the match ended in a draw, denying the Americans a win they desperately needed. Thomas' record in Ryder Cup moving into Saturday's play, when he'll almost certainly be counted on more, slid to 6-2-2.

"Felt like it could have just as easily gone the other way," Thomas said according to the Ryder Cup website. "It's a bummer. It's not the start we wanted but fortunately for us we've got a lot of golf left. We'll just go get some sleep, regroup and go try to win as many points as possible tomorrow.

"We've put ourselves in a spot where we need -- every session is extremely important and yeah, at the end of the day, it's just all anybody can do is control their match. You can't win more than one point in one match, and just go out and do your job and win as many as we possibly can tomorrow and get back in it going into singles."

Even so, it was pretty clear who was the emotional leader of the team after Thomas hit a spectacular wedge and drained the birdie putt on No. 6 to give the U.S. its first match lead of the day.

Although has struggled this year, he and Brooks Koepka were among United States captain Zach Johnson's six wild-card picks for the team.

"Justin Thomas is one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour in my opinion," Johnson said at the time. "He has been, without question, the heart and soul of US Ryder Cup teams, our emotional leader.

"Overall [he has] a fantastic Ryder Cup record. His passion for the Ryder Cup is very evident. In my mind he is born for this and you just don't leave JT at home."