Justin Thomas is back at the Sentry on the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Maui after missing the tournament last year. Hawaii in January is fantastic, and being at the Sentry indicates success in the previous season. Thomas had a challenging 2022-23 season without a victory but finished in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings, earning a spot in all 2025 Signature Events. Despite his mixed performance over the last two years, Thomas missed the auto qualification for the 2023 Ryder Cup and 2024 Presidents Cup but was a strong contender for captain’s picks due to his track record in team events.
Thomas expressed disappointment at being on the bubble for two consecutive years for team events and the anxiety of waiting for the phone call confirming his selection. He was not selected for the Presidents Cup team and admitted resorting to having a beer at lunch to cope with the disappointment. Determined to prove himself, Thomas is approaching the upcoming season with a newfound motivation to play “pissed off” golf, fueled by a desire to show his worth and contribution to team events despite his recent setbacks.
Despite his challenges, Thomas performed well in the previous season, finishing 14th at the Tour Championship and tying for second at the Zozo Championship in Japan. He also placed third at the Hero World Challenge and welcomed a new addition to his family, his daughter Molly Grace Thomas, born in November. As he looks forward to starting the 2025 season in Hawaii, Thomas is eager to be back on the course and make a fresh start after two winless years.
During a practice round at Kapalua, Thomas expressed his excitement to be back at the tournament after missing it the previous year. He acknowledged the disappointment of watching from the sidelines in 2024 and is determined to make the most of his return to the event. Thomas is paired with Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott for his first round, scheduled to tee off at 4:39 p.m. ET on Thursday. Fans can follow his progress from 6-10 p.m. on the Golf Channel as Thomas aims to kick off the season on a positive note and showcase his skills on the course.
