Justin Thomas ends victory drought with RBC Heritage title after long putt in playoff
Justin Thomas ends victory drought with RBC Heritage title after long putt in playoff
Justin Thomas is a PGA Tour winner again.
The 31-year-old native of Kentucky birdied the first playoff hole to win the 2025 RBC Heritage on Sunday over Andrew Novak for his 16th PGA Tour title but first in two years, 10 months and 29 days since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
"Winning is hard, really hard," Thomas said. "I forgot how much I loved this."
Thomas shot a bogey-free final-round 3-under 68 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, for a 72-hole total of 17-under 267.
He opened with a course-record tying 10-under 61 and went on to become the only first-round leader to win this season. Thomas made birdies at Nos. 5 and 8 on the front nine to take the lead at 16 under. He drained a 25-foot birdie at the par-5 15th in regulation.
Thomas won for the first time since becoming a father and joined Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in having at least 16 victories and two majors before the age of 32.
Thomas finished third in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week, a vast improvement over his putting last season. After ranking No. 174 last season, Thomas spent time with Xander Schauffele working on his putting technique. The 3-hour session has paid dividends. Thomas has improved to 40th this season.According to Golf Channel's Todd Lewis, Thomas joked, 'I may get an invoice in my locker.'
Thomas had four top-3 finishes, including two runner-up finishes this season. 'Everyone wants it bad but he has that chip on his shoulder,' CBS Sports's Trevor Immelman said.
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