Thomas hopes major will be first of many

After shaking the major championship monkey off his back, newly crowned US PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas is desperate for more on golf’s biggest stage.

American world No. 14 Thomas broke through to claim the final major of the year by two shots and his fourth US PGA Tour win of the season.

The 24-year-old Thomas started the final round at Quail Hollow two shots off the pace but stormed home with a three-under par 68 and an eight-under total of 276. Runners up Francesco Molinari (67), American Patrick Reed (67) and 2010 British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen (70) were at six-under.

World No. 3 Hideki Matsuyama missed out on his chance to become Japan’s first male major winner, slumping to a 72 to share fifth place with No. 10 Rickie Fowler (67) at fiveunder the card.

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox completed his maiden appearance on a low note, diving 42 places in the final round with a seven-over 78.

Thomas believes a breakthrough major so early in his career could open the floodgates.

“I know that ‘major champion’ can never be taken away from my name, but hopefully I’m going to win plenty more,” Thomas said. “I know you can’t get to two unless you get one. So I’m excited to have this.”

Thomas is part of golf’s “Class of 2011” — a group of young stars, including Jordan Spieth, who finished high school six years ago. Thomas has often been compared to fellow 24-year-old and childhood friend Spieth, the world No. 2, but finally stepped out from his shadow this year, winning back-to-back events on the Tour’s Hawaii swing in January.