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2020 CJ Cup: Top 10 power rankings at Shadow Creek

By Mike Randleman

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 23: A general view of the 18th hole prior to The Match: Tiger vs Phil at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for The Match)
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 23: A general view of the 18th hole prior to The Match: Tiger vs Phil at Shadow Creek Golf Course on November 23, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for The Match) /
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RIDGEDALE, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 22: Justin Thomas of the United States plays his shot from the 12th tee during the Payne’s Valley Cup on September 22, 2020 on the Payne’s Valley course at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Payne’s Valley Cup)
RIDGEDALE, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 22: Justin Thomas of the United States plays his shot from the 12th tee during the Payne’s Valley Cup on September 22, 2020 on the Payne’s Valley course at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Payne’s Valley Cup) /

Three weeks away from competition could be just what JT needed. He played a lot since the June restart (11 times, to be exact) and didn’t look quite as sharp on the back half.

It’s not as if Justin Thomas was playing poorly by any stretch, though. He hasn’t missed a cut in his last five tries. His last two starts resulted in T-2nd (T-3rd gross) at the Tour Championship and T-8th at the U.S. Open. Thomas’ last eight outings have all been inside the top 50.

He and Tiger also beat Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy at the Payne’s Valley Cup the Tuesday after the U.S. Open.

So, there’s plenty to work with. His efforts in the two majors just leave a little to be desired.

Thomas will only play one or two more times before Augusta, so it’ll be key for him to get sharp here in Las Vegas.

Thomas likely doesn’t mind skipping the lengthy flight to South Korea. He’s at a disadvantage with the event moving from Nine Bridges, though. JT won the inaugural CJ Cup in 2017, finished on the top half of the leaderboard in 2018 (T-36th) and won again in 2019.

I couldn’t find if Thomas made it out to Shadow Creek in the past. I’m sure he could get in a round or two out there if he really wanted to.

Thomas’ 13 career PGA Tour wins are evidence he can win anywhere.

He ranked first on Tour last season in strokes gained tee to green (1.741) and was also first on approach (.997). Thomas has been a bit up and down with his driving accuracy in 2020. I like a few weeks away to help him get sharp again and keep his towering drives on the planet.

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