Justin Thomas ‘dreams’ of Tiger Woods duel
December 27, 2017
Justin Thomas is hoping that Tiger Woods’ health holds up for 2018 so that he can fulfil a lifetime’s ambition and go toe-to-toe with the 14-time Major winner.
Woods returned from his latest back surgery with a relatively positive effort at this month’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, raising hopes he will be able to compete once again on the PGA Tour in 2018.
Thomas, meanwhile, is just coming off the back of the defining season of his career so far.
He won five times, including a breakthrough Major at the PGA Championship, and capped his year by winning the FedEx Cup.
Thomas will start the New Year by defending his title at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and, as he looked forward to that event, he revealed his desire to get the chance of going head-to-head with Woods on a Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to be coming down the stretch with Tiger Woods, and hopefully it happens and hopefully I can come out on the other side, but regardless, I think this will be a great year for him,” said Thomas.
Woods has been in the field for just 10 of Thomas’ 96 career starts on the PGA Tour, while Thomas has never played in an event won by Woods.
At the Hero World Challenge, Thomas finished tied-11th, one stroke behind Woods, as Rickie Fowler won in style. Thomas played with Woods in the first and fourth round and he was impressed, the 41-year-old carding efforts of 68 and 69.
“I still am and always will be a huge Tiger Woods fan. It was really cool to see him having that much fun and grinding it out and playing well,” he added.
“If he stays healthy, I really do think he’ll have a great year .We’re just going to have to wait and find out.”
Thomas is 17.00 to win the Masters at Augusta in April, while Woods is 21.00 to don the Green Jacket for the fifth time in his career.
