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2021 Ryder Cup: Power ranking the top 10 players at Whistling Straits

By Mike Randleman

Ryder Cup mugs which have a list price of $12 at the Ryder Cup Shops at Whistling Straits near Haven, Wis.Mjs She Ryder Cup Shops 26
Ryder Cup mugs which have a list price of $12 at the Ryder Cup Shops at Whistling Straits near Haven, Wis.Mjs She Ryder Cup Shops 26 /
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Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after a putt on the 9th hole during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Justin Thomas reacts after a putt on the 9th hole during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Thomas was a bright spot for the red, white and blue in 2018. Given the turmoil surrounding some of his teammates this week, JT might need to go 4-1-0 yet again to bring home the Ryder Cup.

He and Jordan Spieth went 2-0-0 in foursomes and 1-1-0 in fourballs with the loss coming to the red hot duo of Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari.

Thomas went off first on Sunday and beat Rory McIlroy 1UP, but it was too little to late for the team at that point.

The Kentuckian finished T-18th at the 2015 PGA Championship with rounds of 72-70-68-70.

Thomas settled for one win in 2021, though it was a big one at the Players Championship. He only missed three cuts but didn’t contend as often as he’d like, particularly at the majors.

Fortunately for the U.S.A., the 28-year-old appears to be rounding into form heading to Wisconsin.

Thomas is on a streak of six made cuts and 10 top-50s counting no-cut events. He finished T-4th at The Northern Trust, T-22nd at the BMW Championship and fourth (both officially by net scoring and unoficially by gross scoring) at the Tour Championship.

Whistling Straits is a good course fit for him. He’s got the length to tame a big ballpark like this and is the type of birdie maker you love in a fourball format.

Thomas ranked third on the PGA Tour last season in strokes gained tee to green (1.418) and third in SG approach (.887). JT was also ninth in birdie average (4.31).

On the surface, it seems like a lot of the Americans are less passionate about the Ryder Cup. JT ain’t one of those guys. He’s a patriotic, fiery competitor who will leave it all out there on the shores of Lake Superior.

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