Justin Thomas was on the verge of victory at the Valspar Championship, but in a dramatic twist, he let the win slip away in the final holes. Holding a comfortable three-shot lead with just four holes remaining, it seemed certain that Thomas would break his two-year winless streak. However, golf had other plans. A pair of costly bogeys created an opening for Viktor Hovland, who took full advantage. With back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, the Norwegian golfer surged ahead, ending his own 19-month title drought and securing the championship.
The loss was a tough blow for Thomas, who had played solid golf throughout the weekend and appeared in control until those critical closing moments. Reflecting on his disappointment after the round, he acknowledged how things unraveled but found a small silver lining in another sport—his team, Atlanta, had defeated New York 6-5 in the first match of the best-of-three TGL Finals Series at the SoFi Center. However, despite this consolation, Thomas seemed far from fully recovered from the tough loss.
During the TGL press conference, when asked if fatigue had played a role in his performance, Thomas admitted, “I’m pretty tired, yeah. I think we wouldn’t be—we would be tired if it had nothing to do with golf, just the fact of a 9:00 p.m. start is very—well, not very; it’s just not what we do. So it’s very difficult to figure out routine-wise.” He elaborated on the importance of discipline in golf, explaining how professionals meticulously structure their schedules to maintain peak performance.
Thomas emphasized how routine plays a crucial role in a golfer’s day-to-day preparation. “I think we’re all very routine-oriented—when we wake up, when we start our day, when we start our warm-up, when we start our practice, warm-up golf-wise. And now it’s weird having an entire day and then kind of getting into that,” he noted. However, he acknowledged that every team in the TGL faces the same challenge. With the season nearing its end, the combination of adrenaline and exhaustion is something all players are managing. “Yeah, I think all of us are a little amped up right now but also ready to go to sleep,” he admitted.
A Tough Loss, But Hope for the Future
Thomas’ collapse at the Valspar Championship has led to discussions about whether fatigue played a role or if it was simply a case of losing his nerve under pressure. Some argue that he choked, while others credit Hovland for his clutch performance in the final stretch.
Despite the disappointment, Thomas remained positive when speaking to the media. He reflected on how much he enjoyed being in contention, even if the ending was painful. “It was a blast. I’ve had plenty of chances this year, but nothing quite like that,” he said. “That’s exactly why we play and practice. I felt great out there—comfortable and excited for every shot. There’s not much I can do when he birdies 16 and 17, and I made it easier on him, but it was fun—really fun—but winning is hard.”
On the other hand, Hovland’s victory was a significant moment in his career. His struggles in recent months had been well-documented, and he had been candid about his inconsistency on the course. However, when the pressure was at its peak, he delivered. His triumph at the Valspar was especially remarkable because he became the first player in over a year to miss three consecutive cuts and then bounce back with a tournament win. With the Ryder Cup approaching, this victory serves as a crucial confidence boost for him.
As for Thomas, his performances in 2025 suggest that a breakthrough victory could be just around the corner. He continues to put himself in contention, and if he maintains this level of play, it may only be a matter of time before he secures another title. Golf fans will be watching closely, as his next big moment might be coming sooner rather than later.