Justin Thomas Ends PGA Tour Winless Streak: ‘That Was as Fun as I Thought It Would Be’

Justin Thomas has always worn his emotions on his sleeve. Whether he’s pumping his fist after a clutch birdie or staring blankly at a missed putt, he plays with a visible passion that endears him to fans and fuels his play. And on a sunny Sunday afternoon, that passion was rewarded. After what felt like an eternity—26 months without a win on the PGA Tour—Thomas found himself holding a trophy again. For a player who once made winning seem routine, this moment felt anything but.

The victory came at a time when questions about his form had begun to overshadow his undeniable talent. Since his win at the 2022 PGA Championship, Thomas had endured a turbulent period marked by swing inconsistencies, missed cuts, and a slide down the world rankings. The narrative had shifted: Was he losing his edge? Was he still one of the game’s elite? On this day, Thomas answered those questions with his clubs—and his smile.

From the opening round, Thomas looked dialed in. He played with the kind of freedom that had eluded him in recent months, shaping shots with precision and navigating the course with a calm confidence. The swing changes he’d been grinding through behind the scenes finally clicked. He wasn’t chasing perfection—he was playing golf, and playing it beautifully.

As the final round began, Thomas found himself in the mix with a crowded leaderboard full of big names and surging talents. But there was a different energy in the air—something intangible yet undeniable. Thomas wasn’t just contending; he was controlling. Each birdie felt like a step closer to reclaiming a piece of himself.

The pivotal moment came on the 16th hole, a par-4 that had tested players all weekend. Standing over a nervy 12-footer for birdie, Thomas took a deep breath, struck the putt—and watched it fall. He raised his fist, a gesture of both triumph and relief. Two holes later, he tapped in for par, and the crowd erupted. The drought was over.

“That was as fun as I thought it would be,” Thomas said afterward, grinning from ear to ear. “There were times I doubted whether I’d feel this again, and that made it all the sweeter.”

What made this win particularly meaningful wasn’t just the result, but the road back. The slump had been well documented. After climbing as high as World No. 1, Thomas had slipped to the low 20s, and his game had become a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. He missed the FedEx Cup Playoffs in 2023—an unthinkable result for a player of his caliber. His Ryder Cup selection was met with criticism, and though he performed admirably in Rome, it was clear he wasn’t quite himself.

There were times when Thomas looked visibly frustrated on the course, and off it, he admitted the struggles had taken a toll. But through it all, he stayed committed—to the process, to his team, and to the belief that he could rediscover his best.

“It’s not easy when you feel like you’re doing the right things and not seeing the results,” he said. “There were days I questioned everything. But I had great people around me, and I never stopped believing I could get back here.”

That belief is what separated Thomas from so many others who have faced similar downturns. He didn’t retreat. He leaned in. He changed his swing coach. He changed his approach to practice. He sought out sports psychologists and revamped his mental routines. He held himself accountable, publicly and privately. And when things didn’t improve immediately, he doubled down again.

Fellow players took notice. Rory McIlroy, a longtime friend and frequent practice partner, praised Thomas’ perseverance. “He’s one of the most talented guys out here,” McIlroy said. “But more than that, he’s a grinder. He works so hard. No one was rooting harder for JT than the guys in the locker room. We all know how much this means to him.”

The fans responded as well. Though Thomas had always been a popular figure, the empathy from the gallery this week was palpable. They cheered louder, leaned in more, sensing that this was more than just another tournament. It was a comeback, a vindication, a reminder that even the best go through it—and that grit can lead you out.

When Thomas walked off the green Sunday, he shared a long embrace with his father and coach, Mike Thomas. There were no words, just emotion. They had been through every swing adjustment, every late-night putting session, every high and low. This was their victory.

“It was special to do it with my dad here,” Thomas said. “We’ve been through a lot together. I think he knows better than anyone how hard this stretch has been. We’ve had some tough conversations, but we never gave up on the goal.”

The timing of the win is crucial, too. With the major season underway and the FedEx Cup calendar heating up, Thomas has re-entered the conversation at just the right moment. He’s now exempt into the next string of big events, and perhaps more importantly, he’s full of momentum. Confidence, that elusive fuel of champions, has returned.

But beyond trophies and rankings, what this win really gave Thomas was perspective. “I think I appreciate this one more than some of the others,” he said. “When you’re winning regularly, you kind of expect it. You take it for granted a little bit. But when you haven’t had it in a while, it hits different. I know how special this is now.”

He paused, then smiled. “I just had fun out there. That’s what it’s supposed to be about, right? Fun. Competing. Grinding. I missed that feeling.”

As Thomas heads into the rest of the season, there’s no telling what heights he’ll reach. But this win will always stand out. Not just as the end of a slump, but as the reaffirmation of who he is—a champion, a fighter, and one of the game’s true hearts.

Years from now, when Justin Thomas looks back on his career, this victory may not be the most prestigious. It may not have come with a green jacket or a Wanamaker Trophy. But it will be among the most important. Because it reminded him—and all of us—that champions aren’t just defined by how they win, but by how they fight to win again.

And make no mistake: Justin Thomas is back.