Justin Thomas was paired with Tiger Woods at the 2019 Presidents Cup and has opened up on a blunt conversation he shared with the golfing icon before a difficult tee shot
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods were previously Presidents Cup playing partners (Image: (Image: Getty.))
Justin Thomas candidly shared details of a raw and explicit chat he had with golfing partner Tiger Woods prior to a challenging tee shot at the Presidents Cup, which left the 31-year-old golfer still undecided on the course.
Despite an improved 2023/24 season, Thomas did not participate in this year’s Presidents Cup, even though he is currently ranked No. 30 in the world. Team USA won the tournament this time around.
In the 2019 edition of the event, Thomas teamed up with Woods, leading to a Team USA victory. However, he found himself struggling with an approach and decided to seek advice from his partner, who is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time.
During The Smylie Show, Thomas recalled: “It was in the alternate shot, and I just made like an eight-footer for birdie to stay tied in the match. We were in a really good match,” He continued, “So I had 16 tee shot, and it’s this brutal hole.
“It’s this very narrow dog-leg left, and it just gradually dog legs the whole way. And I like to fade the ball off the tee, and there’s this damn tree that’s right off of the tee on the left that’s just right in my window … it’s a big point in the match. I need to get this ball in play.
“I have the greatest iron player on planet earth on my team, but it’s such a long hole, I can’t hit an iron because it’s like a driver/five-iron kind of par four. And I never really ask Tiger anything in terms of layups or whatever it is, and that’s what makes him such a great partner. He’s just like, ‘look, you go play, I’ll go play, I’ll let you know if I need anything’.”
“I call Tiger over. He’s like, ‘What? ‘ I’m like, ‘I mean, is there anything, like, this tee shot’s not very comfortable for me. Like, do you care if you’re further back or…”‘.
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas in Presidents Cup action in 2019 ( Image: (Image: Getty))
Woods didn’t hold back his words in response, bluntly telling Thomas: “I don’t care what I have in, just put me in the ——- fairway.”
Thomas chuckled as he recalled a classic Woods story, while admitting that he didn’t quite get an answer that would assist him on his shot.
“I was like, ‘Okay, that doesn’t make it any easier, but I appreciate it, partner,'” Thomas added. “So I just teed down a low driver and hit like a little junior draw, and somehow hit the fairway… I’ll never forget that.”
Luckily for both, they emerged victorious as a team and were able to celebrate their country’s win after some succinct words by the 82-time PGA Tour winner.
