Justin Thomas gifts young fan a club after PGA Championship final round
The 2023 PGA Championship won’t be a memorable major for Justin Thomas. But, for one young golf fan, it might be the tournament he remembers most. Thomas is the reason behind it.
Following a less-than-stellar week at Oak Hill Country Club, Thomas made one young spectator’s day. Coming off the 18th hole on Sunday, the two-time PGA Championship winner handed a club to a kid in the gallery.
Per Sports Illustrated, Thomas handed the youngster his 60-degree wedge. As you might imagine, the kid was all smiles after receiving this one-of-a-kind gift.
Per Sports Illustrated, Thomas’ caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, said the 30-year-old PGA Tour star wouldn’t need the club any longer. The bunkers at Oak Hill apparently did quite the number to the grooves on the wedge.
Still, it was an incredibly kind gesture from Thomas after a forgettable weekend in Rochester.
Thomas carded a +12 for the weekend, finishing in a tie for 65th place in the major championship. That’s not exactly how he planned to defend his PGA Championship crown.
Thomas won last year’s PGA Championship, marking the second time in his career he’s won the event. He also was atop the leaderboard in 2017. He has yet to take home a major victory at the other three.
In the next two months, Thomas gets two more chances to win another major. Next up is the U.S. Open in July, followed by the Open Championship in August.
Jordan Spieth boils over during PGA Championship
Thomas wasn’t alone in his struggles at Oak Hill over the weekend. His friend and three-time major champion Jordan Spieth also went through some ups and downs during the PGA Championship.
Things boiled over for Spieth during Saturday’s round … and the hot mics picked up his frustration.
During a rainy third day in Rochester, Spieth was unhappy with an iron shot he hit on a par 3. The result? A few choice words that the mics picked up.
“Damnit!” Spieth said. “Hit one good f***ing iron shot!”
It’s not uncommon for Spieth to be heard on the course. He’s his harshest critic during rounds and can often be heard making these kinds of comments to himself throughout a round. But it never gets old.
Spieth finished the PGA Championship at +5. He saved his best round of the tournament for Sunday, carding a 1-under-par 69, the only day he didn’t score in the red.
He ended the tournament in a tie for 29th. The PGA Championship remains the only major championship missing from Spieth’s collection.