Justin Thomas has opened up on his relationship with Tiger Woods, and recalled a brutal put-down from the 15-time major champion ahead of the Tour Championship in 2020
Justin Thomas has admitted that Tiger Woods once cut him down to size in ruthless fashion before the 2020 Tour Championship. It was a moment that the American insists will always stay with him.
Thomas is preparing to play in the updated Tour Championship this week, chasing a second title. Woods, who tore his left Achilles tendon in March and has barely featured this season, is a two-time FedEx Cup winner.
Back in 2020, Woods missed out on qualifying for the event, but Thomas rang the golfing great during a practice round to brag about the course’s pristine condition. Woods swiftly ended the call – seemingly because of a bad connection – only to ring back moments later while proudly wearing one of his five green jackets.
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The pair share several achievements on their golfing records. Both men have held the World No. 1 ranking, captured the FedEx Cup, and helped Team USA lift the Ryder Cup.
Thomas, however, has yet to claim a Masters title, with his best finish being fourth place in 2020. That year, when he tried to boast about making the Tour Championship, Woods made sure to remind him who had the upper hand.
Ahead of this year’s event at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas was asked to share his most vivid memory from the competition. “That’s a good question,” he replied, before recalling the unforgettable exchange with Woods.
“Probably my best memory, and I couldn’t even tell you what year it was, it was probably – I guess it would have been 2020. I remember playing here, playing a practice round, and walking down 18 and FaceTiming Tiger.
“Because he wasn’t here and didn’t qualify, just showing him how the course was and how great it was, and then he acted like his phone cut out, and then he called me back two minutes later with a green jacket on. I remember that very, very, very vividly.
“Just a typical conversation of thinking I am having some kind of upper edge, and I get shut down and put in my place pretty quickly. There’s a lot of golf things here and there that have obviously happened, but that’s the first thing that came to mind when you said that.”
Although their competitive spirit persists, Woods and Thomas are also neighbours in Florida and have grown close over time. After Thomas and his wife, Jillian Wisniewski, welcomed their first child in 2024, he began to see a softer, more personal side of Woods.
At the end of last season, Thomas spoke about Woods’ support during that major life transition. “He’s been unbelievable. I’ve seen a new side of him. I mean, it’s just been really cool,” Thomas said.
“He’s always checking in, wanting to see how I’m doing, how Jill’s doing, how Molly’s doing. He knew when Jill’s surgery was and he called the night before asking how everybody’s doing.
“I hung up, and I just looked at Jill, and she said, ‘I bet you didn’t think that was going to happen when you were growing up.’ I’m like, ‘No, I didn’t.'”