How a text from his wife reminded Justin Thomas to love the game

In a recent turn of events, Justin Thomas found himself grappling with his own potential after consecutive missed cuts. The disappointment of anything short of a win has been a familiar feeling for him, as he is well aware of his capabilities and doesn't shy away from acknowledging his own ceiling.

However, this summer has brought about a different scenario for Thomas. For the first time in his career on the PGA TOUR, he finds himself on the bubble of the FedExCup Playoffs, currently standing at No. 66 in the season-long points race with only six weeks remaining in the Regular Season.

Previously, Thomas took his spot in the TOUR Championship almost for granted, but now he must grind to secure a position in the top 70 to qualify for the Playoffs. Nonetheless, there is a glimmer of positive momentum as he enters the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week, following a respectable T9 finish at the Travelers Championship. This performance served as a turnaround after back-to-back missed cuts at the U.S. Open and the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, marking the first time Thomas had missed consecutive cuts since July 2017.

So, what prompted this shift? It was a simple yet powerful text message that Thomas received from his wife, Jillian, last Wednesday night. The message resonated deeply with him and served as a poignant reminder of the essence of his love for the game.

Thomas spoke candidly about the impact of his wife's text, stating, "Just basically said (to) remember why you love this game and why you play this game and why you're out there, just enjoy that and kind of take it in." These words struck a chord within him, grounding him and allowing him to find solace in the pure joy of playing professional golf.

Following the advice from his wife, Thomas approached the previous week's challenges and outcomes with a newfound perspective. Every obstacle and every triumph served as a reminder of his passion for the sport and his dedication to his craft.

Thomas openly admitted that the recent dip in his form had taken a personal toll on him, as he holds high expectations for himself. Recognizing the importance of a consistent mental approach, he diligently works on this aspect of his game alongside his physical skills. The U.S. Open taught him valuable lessons, as he experienced a stretch of exceptional golf that had not been seen in years. Naturally, his expectations soared, and he fully believed that victory was within his grasp at that tournament.

Unfortunately, the performance at the U.S. Open did not unfold as anticipated, aligning with the frustrations of his season overall. Thomas currently finds himself ranked 72nd in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and 151st in SG: Putting. Even his usually reliable approach play has fallen below his usual standards, placing him at 49th.

However, with a slightly adjusted mindset as he arrived at TPC River Highlands, Thomas witnessed an improvement in his performance. He recognized that he had been too focused on his golf swing rather than the essence of the game itself. Last week, he made a conscious decision to let go of his concerns and simply play golf, hitting shots with a newfound freedom.

Thomas carries an impressive pedigree, with a PGA professional father, a PGA professional grandfather, and the esteemed Jim "Bones" Mackay as his caddie. Jordan Spieth even served as the best man at his wedding, and he shares texts with legendary Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Amidst such influential company, it is understandable that Thomas may occasionally find himself engaged in a mental tug-of-war, especially given his remarkable success as a 15-time PGA TOUR winner.

Despite the pressure and the weight of expectations, Thomas caught a glimpse of the player he knows he can be during his recent outing in Connecticut. His confidence remains un