Justin Thomas ‘ecstatic’ at prospect of playing at Tokyo Olympics for United States
The world No 2, who won the Players Championship a week ago, is keen to play at the Games after world No 1 Dustin Johnson confirmed he will skip the tournament
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.World No 2 Justin Thomas is “ecstatic” about the prospect of representing the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Thomas is in form after winning the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass a week ago and will be back in action at this week’s WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas.
But the 27-year-old has been looking further dow the line on the schedule, with his ranking putting him in a prime position to feature at the Games from 23 July to 8 August.
“I hope I qualify because I think that would be one of the coolest honors that I’ve ever had,” the 2017 PGA Championship winner said in response to world No 1 Dustin Johnson confirming he will skip Tokyo due to not fitting into his schedule. “It’s probably one of the only tournaments that I would brag about playing in or qualifying for, the fact that I would be able to play for Team USA in the Olympics.”
Thomas has finished inside the top 15 in nine of his last 10 starts will hope to lock up a place for Tokyo ahead of the end of the qualification window on 21 June.
Read more:
- Olympic surfer hopeful killed by lightning
- Rory McIlroy officially adds Pete Cowen as swing coach ahead of The Masters
- Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England exile is not the most bizarre in Liverpool’s history
- Slavia Prague to respect outcome of Uefa’s investigation after racism allegations
- Boxer Lee Noble dies aged 33
Thomas has overcome a troubled year to beat England’s Lee Westwood by one stroke at Sawgrass for his inaugural Players Championship win.
He was troubled by his sponsor Ralph Lauren after making a homophobic slur during a tournament.
While Thomas paid tribute to his late grandfather, Paul, after clinching victory at Sawgrass, embracing his father, Mike, on the 18th green.
Thomas is a good friend f 15-times major winner Tiger Woods, who also texted his support while recovering from injuries sustained in a brutal car accident last month.
“(Woods) was in great spirits,” said the 14-times PGA Tour winner. “My dad said he was texting him the whole day, giving him grief about what was going on, so it was good to see he was watching.”
Thomas faces off against fellow American Matt Kuchar, defending champion Kevin Kisner and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen in the first round of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on Wednesday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments