Justin Thomas cruises to 4 victory at Bridgestone

AKRON, Ohio — Family, friends and golf are the three main parts of Justin Thomas’ life.

All three came together this weekend in Akron, Ohio where Thomas won the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club with a 72-hole score of 15-under 265.

With about a dozen family members and friends in attendance on the South Course, Thomas relied on consistent drives off the tee and a couple of birdies to card a 69 in the final round on Sunday.

“It feels nice,” Thomas said of winning his first WGC event. “I’ve been knocking on the door this year between Mexico and Match Play. I felt like I was very close, and it was kind of one of the few things left that I felt I needed to knock off or felt that would have been nice to add to the resume for sure. To win on a golf course like this, a championship golf course and always against a very tough field, it just felt great.”

Kyle Stanley shot a 68 on Sunday and finished second at 11 under.

Thomas, 25, earned $1.7 million for the win, his ninth on the PGA Tour. He made 15 pars, birdies on Nos. 2 and 13 and a bogey on No. 6 Sunday. He also hit a young fan with his tee shot on No. 16, and stopped to talk and sign an autograph.

Thomas also enjoyed post-match hugs and conversation with his parents, Jani and Mike Thomas, and grandparents Paul and Phyllis Thomas. Paul played in the 1960 PGA Championship on Firestone’s South Course.