Thomas misses practice time with injured Woods

AUGUSTA, GA. >> Justin Thomas has obtained a precocious understanding of Augusta National Golf Course’s various nuances through regular practice rounds with Tiger Woods, a benefit he is missing at this week’s Masters where he will chase his first Green Jacket.

Thomas did not hesitate when asked on Tuesday what he missed most about the absence this week of good friend and five-times Masters champion Woods, who is at home recovering from career-threatening leg injuries suffered in a February vehicle crash.

“Playing the practice rounds with him for sure,” Thomas said in his pretournament news conference. “I went over and saw him a couple times last week and tried to go over a couple times during the week whenever I’m home and see him.

“We texted Friday morning, and he said it’s kind of starting to set in. He’s bummed he’s not here playing practice rounds with us, and we hate it, too.”

Thomas said that after Woods’s accident he had offered to help his friend in any way possible.

“That’s just what I want to do for him, is just be like, dude, I’ll do anything you want,” Thomas added.

“If you need me to help out with your kids, I can do that. If you want me to bring you — if you’re craving McDonald’s and you want me to bring it over, dude, I don’t care, I’m here for you and I’ll help out however I can.”

Thomas, ranked second in the world, finished fourth at last November’s Masters and has heated up since, including a win last month at The Players Championship, golf’s unofficial fifth major.

The 27-year-old American will tee off Thursday in the penultimate group alongside 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Tony Finau.

Thomas, whose sole major triumph came at the 2017 PGA Championship, admitted that his burning desire to win a Masters had at times hurt his chances of slipping into a Green Jacket.

“For some reason, everybody wants to win it a little bit more, and I definitely got sucked into that,” said Thomas. “But hopefully at the almost age of 28 now, I’ve matured a little bit and understand if and when it’s my time, it will happen.” JOHNSON PAIRED WITH WESTWOOD, U.S. AMATEUR CHAMP>> Reigning Masters champion Dustin Johnson begins his title defense at 7:30 a.m. PT on Thursday. Johnson will be paired with England’s Lee Westwood and U.S. amateur champion Tyler Strafaci for the first two rounds.

Teeing off behind Johnson’s group will be Xander Schauffele, new father Jon Rahm of Spain and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy — still looking for his first Masters victory to complete the career grand slam.

Bryson DeChambeau goes off at 10:36 a.m. with Australia’s Adam Scott and Max Homa. The threesome of Jordan Spieth, Cameron Smith and Collin Morikawa are in the final group at 11 a.m.