Justin Thomas made the cut from plane. How?

**Justin Thomas’ Journey to the Tour Championship: An Unexpected Turn of Fate**

Justin Thomas faced a challenging situation as he approached the BMW Championship, knowing his spot in the Tour Championship was uncertain. His self-assessment was honest and somber, reflecting the tough season he’d had:

“I’m just going home. Going to go back to Jupiter. There’s no need for me to sit here and stress this out all afternoon. It sucks, but it’s the position I put myself in. I’m happy to go home and get a couple nights at home and then hopefully head to Atlanta on Tuesday.”

Despite the odds, Justin Thomas managed to clinch the 30th and final spot in the FedEx Cup standings, defying expectations and securing his place in the Tour Championship.

### **A Grim Outlook at the BMW Championship**

As Thomas entered the BMW Championship, the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, his chances looked bleak. Reflecting on his season, Thomas admitted:

“I’d say it’s been a good year. I feel like I’ve done a lot of really good things. I just haven’t scored as well as I feel like I’ve kind of played, especially these last couple of tournaments.”

His words carried the weight of a golfer who knew he had given his all but might still fall short. Thomas acknowledged that the main obstacle had been his lack of victories.

“The biggest thing is I just haven’t won,” he said. “And I think that’s really the only thing or the difference of keeping it from being a really, really good year.”

### **An Unlikely Qualification**

Despite his reservations, Thomas’ fate took a surprising turn during the final round of the BMW Championship. Though he finished in a tie for 39th place, far from his best performance, the real drama unfolded elsewhere on the course. Swedish golfer Alex Noren, who was on track to secure his own spot in the Tour Championship, faltered in the final stretch. Noren bogeyed his last three holes, dropping him out of the top 30 and effectively handing Thomas the coveted 30th spot.

“My destiny is probably a lot more in the hands of, unfortunately, other people than my own unless I shot 10- or 11-under today,” Thomas had said, aware of the slim chances he had of qualifying.

Yet, in a twist of fate, Thomas found himself back in the mix, headed to Atlanta for the Tour Championship.

### **A Season of Struggles and Resilience**

Justin Thomas’ journey to the Tour Championship has been anything but straightforward. The former world number one and two-time major winner began the season with high expectations, but reality quickly set in as he struggled to find his form. Thomas missed five cuts in his last seven starts before the Wyndham Championship, a stark contrast to the player who had once dominated the PGA Tour.

Despite these setbacks, Thomas remained focused and determined. His performance at the BMW Championship, while not stellar, showcased his resilience. On the final day, Thomas managed a 4-under 68, his first sub-70 round of the week. “You have to play well,” Thomas said after the round, acknowledging that while his performance wasn’t enough to secure a high finish, it was enough to keep him in the running for a spot at East Lake.

The season also saw significant changes in Thomas’ professional life. Earlier in the year, he made the surprising decision to part ways with his longtime caddie, Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, before the Masters. This move highlighted Thomas’ search for something to reignite his game. While the immediate results were mixed, his perseverance paid off in the most dramatic way possible.

### **Looking Ahead to the Tour Championship**

As Thomas prepares for the Tour Championship at East Lake, he knows the challenge ahead is daunting. Starting the tournament as the 30th-ranked player, he will begin at even par, a full 10 strokes behind the leader, Scottie Scheffler. The starting-strokes format gives players at the top of the leaderboard a significant advantage, meaning Thomas will need to play near-perfect golf to have any chance of winning the FedEx Cup.

Despite the challenges, Justin Thomas’ unexpected qualification for the Tour Championship is a testament to his resilience and determination, setting the stage for a thrilling finale to his season.