WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO: Former professional golfer Paige Spiranac came forward to lend her unwavering support to the talented Justin Thomas, who has recently been the target of harsh criticism labeling him as "overrated." Responding swiftly on various social media platforms, Spiranac emphatically defended Thomas, brushing aside the unfounded claims and attributing them to a mere "bad stretch" in his career.
Leveraging the influence of social media, Spiranac chose to amplify her message of support for the remarkable achievements of Thomas. Having secured an impressive 15 PGA Tour triumphs, including two major championship titles, Thomas had proved his mettle as a formidable competitor. Spiranac's words sought to dispel the clouds of doubt surrounding his talent and dedication.
Paige Spiranac stands tall in defense of Justin Thomas
Amidst the challenges and struggles, Justin Thomas faces a difficult period in his golfing journey, missing the cut at the 2023 Open Championship despite posting an even par 71 on Friday. Unfortunately, this marks the third time this year he has missed a cut at a major tournament, leaving him disappointed and determined to bounce back.
However, amidst the criticisms and harsh judgments, golf analyst and former player Paige Spiranac stepped in to defend Justin Thomas. She took to Twitter to remind everyone of Thomas' impressive accomplishments, including 15 victories on the PGA Tour, with two of those being major championship wins. Spiranac passionately addressed the naysayers, emphasizing that every golfer, regardless of their talent, experiences tough stretches in their careers.
She wrote, "It's wild to me that people are calling JT overrated," Spiranac said on Twitter, "because he's having a bad stretch. He's won 15 times on tour with 2 major wins. It's golf...it will eat you alive and drive you crazy. We've all been there," Spiranac tweeted."
Over the span of seven remarkable years, Justin Thomas showcased his exceptional talent and consistency on the golf course, securing at least one tournament victory per season between 2015 and 2022. His unyielding determination and remarkable performances became a hallmark of his golfing journey, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
One user wrote, "Everyone has highs and lows. Character is when you come back from that." While another user wrote, "Imagine saying JT is overrated." Another user said, "I don’t think he’s overrated, but he should not be on this years Ryder Cup team."
Justin Thomas endures unfortunate run at the Open Championship 2023
Thomas' journey at The Open Championship 2023 has been marred by unfortunate circumstances, making it undoubtedly the most challenging edition he has participated in. Finishing with a score of +11, Thomas finds himself at T136, with the second round yet to be completed.
The first day proved to be an uphill battle for Thomas, encountering a series of challenging holes. He grappled with five bogeys, two double bogeys, and a quadruple bogey on the 18th hole. Amidst these struggles, Thomas managed to salvage only two birdies, resulting in a challenging score of 11 over 82.
While the second day showcased a slight improvement in Thomas' performance, he was unable to significantly alter his score. During Friday's round, Thomas displayed resilience, playing for even par with three birdies and three bogeys. Nonetheless, the damage from the previous day had already taken its toll.
This marks Justin Thomas' seventh appearance at The Open Championship. In the previous six editions, his best placement had been a commendable T11 in 2019. However, he had also faced disappointment twice in the form of previous cuts. Despite this setback, Thomas' overall performance in other PGA Tour majors remains noteworthy, boasting an impressive record.