Thomas healthy again, back in fray
PEBBLE BEACH — Justin Thomas was a restless spectator during last month’s PGA Championship, which he skipped while recovering from a wrist injury.
“It was just a bummer to watch on TV,” he said Monday. “I was very, very bored.”
Thomas, ranked No. 7 in the world, jumps back into the major championship fray this week at Pebble Beach. He missed six weeks because of the injury, but he called it a “nonissue” heading into the U.S. Open.
Thomas missed the cut two weeks ago at the Memorial tournament, then started to resemble his old self again at the Canadian Open. He shot 69 on Sunday and tied for 20th.
“My game was pretty rusty taking that much time off, so I added Canada to the schedule,” Thomas said. “I’m glad I did. It was nice to get four consecutive competitive rounds under my belt before coming here.
“It’s a different approach than I’ve taken in the past, playing the week before a major versus taking it off. But I think it’s what I needed to make sure I’m ready for this week.” Bramlett’s return: Few players have more ties to Pebble Beach than Joseph Bramlett.
Bramlett, who grew up in Saratoga and lives in San Jose, played in the 2010 U.S. Open the week after he graduated from Stanford. He hasn’t qualified for the Open since then, in part because of lingering, debilitating back problems.
Bramlett regained his health the past two years and has been playing regularly on the Web.com Tour. He earned his spot in this week’s Open by surviving a playoff at sectional qualifying June 3 in Maryland.
“It’s absolutely full circle,” Bramlett said. “Very gratifying. I’m just excited to get back and have another chance.”
Bramlett participated in the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach as a junior player. He also advanced to the California Amateur finals one year at Pebble, and he twice played in the AT&T Pro-Am in addition to his previous Open start. So he knows the place. “I’ve gone 6-7-8 under at Pebble, but the U.S. Open at Pebble is a completely different course,” Bramlett said. “Just the experience of being there, having been through it once, will give me familiarity of what to expect.” Briefly: Monday’s practice round was warm, with temperatures in the high 80s, but the forecast calls for cooler weather during the tournament, including a high of 61 (and mostly sunny) for Thursday’s opening round. … Steve Williams, who caddied for Tiger Woods during his epic, 15-stroke victory in the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, will work for Jason Day this week.