Justin Thomas is one of the most recognized golfers in the world, with the American being a two-time major winner and multiple Ryder Cup player. However, despite a stellar match-play record in both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, it comes as a bit of a surprise that the 29-year-old skipped the only match-play tournament on the PGA Tour calendar.
Being played for the last time, it’s unclear what the future of WGC Match Play will be as PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan hints that a Match Play event could eventually return to their schedule. For now, however, there will be a star lineup at the Austin Country Club, with Thomas and Justin Rose being the only two eligible players skipping the event.
Thomas has played six times in the WGC Match Play and has only come out of the group stage once in that time
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In his speech at the Valspar Championship, Thomas revealed his love for this week’s venue, but his thoughts on Austin are slightly different. “(Innisbrook) is a place I love. I really, really love the golf course. I just feel like if I go play there I have a really good chance of winning. I just don’t feel that Austin Country Club,” said the American, adding, “It’s nothing against the court, I’ve only played it six times and I’ve played it really badly five times.
“So I just felt like going to a place where I had at least some positivity and felt like I had a much better chance of winning was a better decision for me than going to an upscale event , a huge event. Being the match play but knowing I didn’t succeed except kinda – I’d hate to call it a lucky year but a year. And I didn’t really want to take three weeks off before the Masters.”
Usually, the world’s top 64 compete in the match play, but with LIV players being banned from PGA Tour events and Thomas and Rose opting not to play, world No. 77 Justin Suh will be the last man standing the field. Starting Wednesday, the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and defending champion Scottie Scheffler will be in attendance.
The format of the tournament features 16 groups of four that compete over the first three days, with a win being worth one point, a draw being worth half a point and a loss being worth no point. From there, the group winners advance to the knockout round, the winner of which will be chosen on Sunday.
Source : www.golfmonthly.com