Justin Thomas is looking forward to his first hometown major at Valhalla as he pursues his third PGA Championship title

Justin Thomas looks ahead to an exciting PGA Championship in his hometown of Louisville

Valhalla welcomes an excited Justin Thomas back to his home state of Kentucky in hopes he can claim his third PGA Championship title in Louisville

It’s a rare occasion for any player to have the privilege to play in a hometown major, and that’s exactly what Justin Thomas gets to experience this week for the first time. After flying home last week to be honored with a “Hometown Hero” award and have a 60-foot banner flown for him, Thomas has experienced a welcome home quite like no other.

As he heads 18 miles east of Louisville to Valhalla Golf Club, Thomas will be in hot pursuit of his third PGA Championship and hoping he can get the job done this week as he looks to find some form going into the rest of the 2024 season. Justin is a two-time PGA champion, winning at Quail Hollow in 2017 and Southern Hills in 2022, which was his last victory on tour.

How much are you looking forward to the PGA in your hometown Kentucky?

“I’m very excited. It’s the dream tournament for me. I mean, I grew up wanting to play the PGA at Valhalla. It’s the place I was brought up in and where I have so many friends still. It will be emotional but I’m going to try and enjoy it.”

What can you remember from when Tiger won there in 2000?

“It was unbelievable. I mean, I was only seven years old, but after seeing Tiger, it was an ‘I want to do this’ kind of moment for me. Hearing those crowds and watching him in person at that age was something hard to explain. After seeing him on TV, it suddenly seemed more real to me which gave me so much motivation.”

What would it mean to win there?

“It’s hard for me to put into words what it would mean. I’d have to get back to you on it. I expect it would be something I’ve never felt before, and wouldn’t feel ever again.”

How hard has it been dealing with your loss of form?

“I’ve played poorly in the majors lately. That’s for sure. However, it’s not as bad as it looks. I feel like I’m on one of those runs where I’m not getting the results I should be. I’m trying not to let it get me down too much. Sometimes internal pressure is bad. You have to think good is coming around the corner. But I’m better mentally than I was last season. I like to think I still have another 10 or 15 years in this sport. I just have to be patient.”

Are you happy with your tally of 2 majors by 30?

“I don’t want to come off as unappreciative or cocky. I have big expectations of myself. But I feel like I should have accomplished more. I should have more majors. However, maybe I’m too hard on myself. That mentality has got me to where I am.”

How have you coped with breaking up with your caddie Bones?

“It was difficult, but everything comes to an end at some point. I love Bones and his family. I told him, ‘I wish he was a bad person and bad caddie’ as it would have made the decision easier. But we are still friends. It was better to end it now before something bad happens.”

Do you feel pressure to achieve due to your family’s history in golf?

“No I don’t. Growing up, my parents stressed that I needed to love and enjoy what I was doing. I love golf because of me. How they raised me, helped me to love the game.”

What was the best piece of advice you’ve got?

“To be yourself. I’ve always had a fire in me. I can use that to my advantage. I don’t want to be a clown out there. But if I act like someone I am not, I won’t be successful. That’s why I still see my high school friends. I have to keep being myself.”

What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years?

“I don’t want to put a ceiling on that. But I mean, I would love to have a couple of multiple major winning seasons. I think I’m capable of that. I would like to win the grand slam. That would be great. But first I have to just try and get back to competing in the biggest tournaments.”