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THE NORTHERN TRUST 2019: Power ranking the top ten at Liberty National

By Brandon Raper

RIDGEWOOD, NJ - AUGUST 23: FedEx Cup signage is displayed on the 15th hole during the first round of The Northern Trust on August 23, 2018 at the Ridgewood Championship Course in Ridgewood, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
RIDGEWOOD, NJ - AUGUST 23: FedEx Cup signage is displayed on the 15th hole during the first round of The Northern Trust on August 23, 2018 at the Ridgewood Championship Course in Ridgewood, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
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Justin Thomas THE NORTHERN TRUST 2019 Power Rankings FedEx Cup
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – JULY 28: Justin Thomas watches his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the World Golf Championship-FedEx St Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind on July 28, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /

There’s about half a dozen players I thought about kicking off these power rankings with (including one Big Cat), but I’m going to roll with Justin Thomas, who finally seems to be fully healthy and getting back into a groove in his game over the last few weeks.

Thomas missed the better part of two months after the Masters dealing with a wrist injury, and since returning in June, he’s shown steady improvement, and it feels like just a matter of time before he really breaks through again.

JT made a strong run at the Scottish Open, finishing tied for ninth, just four shots off the lead. That was followed by a tie for 11th at the British Open, and a tie for 12th at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

No, he hasn’t been battling for victories the way we expect the Justin Thomas who won the 2017 FedEx Cup to do it, but I believe that’s coming sooner rather than later. He’s still 17th in the points race despite missing significant time, including a major start at the PGA Championship, and ninth in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Thomas is ranked 11th in greens in regulation this year, as well as being ninth in adjusted scoring. He also leads the PGA TOUR in birdie average, so there are plenty of positives coming out of what has been a tough season for one of the game’s best players. Look for more to come from this guy as he really gets back into gear.

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