Thomas goes from sidelines to rejoining advisory group
Justin Thomas expressed faith and trust in the six players serving on the PGA Tour policy board, content to spend the bulk of his time worrying about his golf game.
One month later, he's now part of the action.
Thomas was among 16 players appointed to the Player Advisory Council, which is designed to advise and consult with the board and with Commissioner Jay Monahan. Thomas, who has 15 wins and two majors in his nine years on tour, also was on the PAC in 2020, the year golf shut down for three months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thomas felt like it was good to become part of the process.
“It's not that I wasn't already involved or cared,” Thomas said Monday. “I think it's easy for some people to assume that someone in our position — whether you want to call that a top player or whatever — is not listening to anybody or what the membership says. I don't think that's the truth.
“The goal is to get the product as good as possible and make the PGA Tour as good as possible. That's what matters,” he said. “That's what I'm hoping for and what I'm here for. I'm thinking maybe being involved and hearing everybody out can help.”
This year's PAC includes two players, Lanto Griffin and Sony Open winner Grayson Murray, who attached their names to a letter in December demanding full details of proposals from private investors the tour was considering for a new commercial enterprise.
Scottie Scheffler, British Open champion Brian Harman, Max Homa, Mackenzie Hughes, Sam Burns and Kevin Streelman were also on the PAC last year.
The six players on the board selected Streelman and Camilo Villegas to run
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for PAC chairman. Whoever wins that election — voting ends Feb. 27 — will join the board in 2025.
Thomas was on the ballot to be chairman in 2020. He wasn't interested this time around.
“To be perfectly honest, there are other PGA Tour players better for that role,” Thomas said. “I would take it seriously, but I don't think I'd be as invested time-wise, and I don't think that's fair to the tour or the players.”
Tour Championship.
The others seven all qualified last year as being in the top 50 in the world ranking. Of those seven, only two players — Louis Oosthuizen at No. 134 and Abraham Ancer at No. 154 — are inside the top 250 in the world ranking.
Niemann had three straight European tour finishes in the top five, including a victory in the Australian Open, to go from No. 87 to No. 64. He now is at No. 66. The top 50 on March 31 get into the Masters.
Niemann, with his LIV Golf schedule, has only three open dates on the European tour because of the four LIV events before the cutoff — the Kenya Open, the Singapore Classic and the Indian Open, all offering minimal world ranking points.
Cup playoff event.
“PGA Tour Champions features the legends of golf competing each week and this event offers the unique opportunity for them to tee it up alongside iconic football players, creating an unforgettable experience for both players and fans,” said Miller Brady, president of PGA Tour Champions.