PGA Tour: The most dominant players of the West Coast Swing

11 of 11

Justin Thomas walks off the 8th hole during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 17, 2019 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Justin Thomas may not have actually won a West Coast swing event, but he scared the figurative pants off a few of the eventual champions.

Start with the TOC, where was the invisible third man in the compelling Schauffele-Woodland finish. For his part, Thomas closed with a 65 for a four-round total of 274.

More from Pro Golf Now

The Sony, one week later, was his least compelling effort. But he still produced a 268 that counted for a tie for 16th. At the Waste Management, Thomas matched Fowler’s opening 64 and trailed only by one through 36 holes. On Saturday he delivered a 68 that was good by any standard except Fowler’s; the eventual champion shot 64 to open an insurmountable lead. Fowler eventually beat Branden Grace by two, with Thomas another stroke back.

His most memorable close call, obviously, came at the Genesis. Thomas used back-to-back 65s to overcome Holmes’s three-stroke first round lead and carry his own four-stroke advantage into the final round. But uncharacteristic putting problems, including seven putts of a two-hole stretch on the back nine on Sunday, left him trailing by one shot at the conclusion.

If Thomas showed a weakness on the West Coast tour, it was in his closing kick. His two worst rounds, both 72s, both came in the final rounds of tournaments he might otherwise have won. It’s an anomalous part of Thomas’ record since his 68.33 final round scoring average for the season compares favorably with his overall 69.28 average.

dark. Next. Phil Mickelson on Seve, Tiger, and his continued drive to win

Home/PGA