First Win in Three Years: What a Win at Harbour Town Means
A week after the Masters, four months into the season, Justin Thomas has officially put his name back in with the best. After finishing most of his starts this year inside the top 10 and posting a 62 course record at Sawgrass back in March. Thomas would earn his first win in three years today at the RBC Heritage in a playoff against Andrew Novak. With four rounds under 70, including an opening round of 61, Thomas deserved this win more than anyone. Thomas would have a 23 to five birdie to bogey ratio, which led the tournament and got him into the playoff. Thomas’ emotion could be shown just as much as Rory McIlroy's last week after his 21-foot birdie putt to end the playoff after one hole. Besides it being his first win of 2025, he adds to his top 10s, making it his fifth in a season that we have seen a resurgence from one of the most liked players on tour.
Justin has finished second in two other tournaments this year at the Valspar and American Express, but has no wins thus far. This win should be huge for JT’s confidence, as he has gotten so close over the last three years, but as always, he seemed to fall apart. Fellow PGA Tour player and friend of Thomas in Jordan Spieth, has almost had an identical career path, resulting in a disappointing last couple of years. With this win also vaulting Thomas up to fifth in the world, the coverage should start taking the former Crimson Tide golfer with more respect. Having already won the PGA Championship twice should also excite Thomas, as his confidence is going into Qualifying Hallow. At a course that favors an accurate driver, Justin should be just fine, as his driver play looked much improved from his past struggles in Florida.
A motivated Justin Thomas is something that nobody competing wants to see, as Thomas is no stranger to wins, having won 16 times on tour, all of which have been in the U.S. A win like this also helps Thomas’ chances on the 2025 Ryder Cup Team, having played three other times for the U.S., playing well in all three events. With this win, it gets the burden off his back about his drought, which is huge heading into the prime of golf play. If Thomas can continue the consistent play he has shown through the first couple of months, it should surprise nobody to see him hold another trophy or two. Thomas’ biggest enemy is his emotions, but if he can stay dialed into his golf game alone, he will continue to be one of the best in the world. His 61 first-round score was also his ninth tied or solo course record, which is a PGA record. After over a thousand days of no winning for Thomas, he is finally back on the board, winning for the first time since he had his first kid and continuing his bounce-back season in 2025 with a special moment in Harbour Town.
