Oakmont, Pennsylvania – Last week, an idea popped up on Justin Thomas’ head. He knew it was far-fetched, and maybe even crazy, but at the U.S. Open Monday, he effortlessly admitted that it had crossed his mind: what he had to do to capture the world. 1 Scottie Scheffler?
“I’m sure some people will laugh,” Thomas said. “But [I thought] Can I catch him this year? ”
At first glance, Thomas is closer than most. The two major titles have jumped to None. 5 in the world official golf ranking this season. But the gap between Scheffler and World No. 2Rory McIlroy is so big (239 points to be exact) that the most competitive golfer in the world can be honest and honest, too.
“Maybe Scottie didn’t play,” Thomas smiled as Thomas who was trailing Schaffler nearly 500 points. “If he keeps doing what he is doing, you can’t really catch that.”
Outside the world of golf, Schaffler lived like this.
Despite his slow start to the 2025 season, Schaffler has played a very high role in his game over the past two and a half months. Schaffler’s worst result since the end of March was No.8 in the RBC legacy that Thomas won. Scheffler, with six top five, has won three championships in his last four games – including in last month’s PGA Championship – and is an Oakmont favorite this week.
“It’s effortless. Every aspect of his game is incredible,” Thomas said. “I think his mental game is better than anyone here. Being able to play with those expectations and stay on the spot as often as he did to me is even more impressive than the golf he’s playing. He just didn’t make any mistakes and almost got himself into a controversy and himself into a dispute.”
This is the last part Thomas himself is working on. He admitted that in recent matches he allowed himself to compete for the weekend in the first two rounds. Thomas has six top ten this year, including the win, but he finished the T-36 in the Masters and missed the PGA championship layoffs. In fact, Thomas has missed six of the 10 layoffs in the Grand Slam since 2013.
What Scheffler seems perfect is what Thomas knows he needs to do and even begins to think about narrowing the gap between them. The seductive part is that Thomas, 32, was there once-twice. In 2018, he didn’t. One week, he returned to five weeks in 2020. However, the biggest obstacle now is not just himself or his playing form, but a player who has become a golf standard.
“It’s still the forefront of my mind, and it’s something I’m working on,” Thomas said. “I’m obviously powerless,” he said. [Scheffler] In doing so, he doesn’t seem to show any signs of slowing down or wanting. Just try to win some tournaments and hope to get closer sooner rather than later. ”
