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The second tier of presumed contenders was very large coming into the PGA Championship, and Justin Thomas was right at the top of that group.
The 2-time PGA Champion came into this major playing some of his best golf in years after getting a victory at the RBC Heritage in April.
Thomas didn’t have his best stuff during the first round on Thursday, starting the tournament with two bogeys and a double bogey in his first six holes to fall to 4-over par for the tournament.
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However, the American was able to steady himself and get things back on track on the second nine.
Sitting at 4-over through 13 holes, Thomas made birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 before sinking an incredible chip-in for a third consecutive birdie on the par-4 16th.
That shot got Thomas back to 1-over for his round, but he wasn’t done pulling off incredible stunts as his opening 18 came to a close.
On the final hole, Thomas’ approach splashed into the water before bounding up off of a rock and settling just next to the creek.
Most players would have just taken a drop and tried to salvage a bogey or even a double, but Thomas decided to get it done the hard way. He took off one shoe and stepped into the creek before hitting an open-stance chip shot to about 12 feet.
Unfortunately, Thomas couldn’t sink the par putt and finished his day with a bogey five. However, it could have been much worse if anything on that incredible third shot went wrong.
Considering how he hit the ball for most of Thursday’s round, Thomas will be fine signing for a 2-over 73. He will likely finish the day seven or eight shots off the lead, but someone who can get as hot as he can is capable of making up that distance.
Playing at Quail Hollow will also give Thomas plenty of comfort and confidence. He won the last edition of the PGA Championship in Charlotte back in 2017 and will be hoping to come back and repeat that effort on Sunday.
More shots like those two on the back nine will go a long way toward helping him get there.
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