Justin Thomas Makes Wyndham Championship Weekend, Keeps Season Alive

Things are coming down to the wire for Justin Thomas. He currently sits outside of the FedEx Cup playoff bubble, and this week’s Wyndham Championship serves as his last opportunity play his way into the top 70.

On Friday, the two-time PGA champion did more than keep himself in the hunt for the postseason; he catapulted into the top 20 of the tournament.

Thomas, who missed three of the four major championship cuts this season, needs a finish of solo 18th place or better at Sedgefield to move on to the first PGA Tour playoff in Memphis next week. But in order to hone in on that goal, Thomas first needed to make the weekend at the full-field event.

An opening round of even par didn’t solidify anything for Thomas, so on Friday, a low round was vital to keep his season alive.

With a five-under 65, Thomas collected himself at the perfect moment, making seven birdies and just two bogeys on the challenging Donald Ross design that’s frustrating some top players this week.

His final birdie of the day came in glorious fashion on the 16th hole par three. Thomas chipped in from 26 yards and sent a buzz of excitement through the Greensboro crowd.

Chip in for JT 🔥@JustinThomas34 played this perfectly for birdie @WyndhamChamp! pic.twitter.com/OYoZIZG22e
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 4, 2023

Thomas’s Friday scorecard will not only give him chance to move into the FedEx Cup top 70, but it will also re-open the door for his Ryder Cup captain’s pick.

Thomas’s recent struggles in both the majors and during regular PGA Tour events have prompted questions about his status with the U.S. team. Two more solid rounds at the Wyndham and a spot in the FedEx St. Jude Championship could be all Thomas needs to impress captain Zach Johnson and contend for his place in Rome.

Thomas sits tied with 11 other players at 5 under heading into the weekend in Greensboro. He sits seven strokes behind the solo leader, four-time PGA Tour winner Russell Henley.

Billy Horschel, who also needed a strong week to make the FedEx Cup playoffs, sits one shot behind Henley at 11 under. He shot a career low round of 62 on Friday to fly up the leaderboard.