2022 Open Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at St. Andrews

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Open Championship, St. Andrews, British Open, The Open, R&A, Old Course, Rory McIlroy

Justin Thomas, PGA Championship, (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Last week wasn’t what Justin Thomas was hoping for at the Genesis Scottish Open. It at least can’t hurt getting to St. Andrews a bit early. Especially when it entails practice rounds with Tiger Woods.

You think he knows a thing or two about playing The Open Championship at The Old Course?

Scores of 73-77 at The Renaissance Club weren’t ideal for JT, but it didn’t help that he was on the wrong end of the tee sheet, weather-wise.

Methinks he’s moving on just fine.

“I love it here, it’s incredible,” Thomas was quoted in Ewan Murray’s article in The Guardian. “It’s very special. It’s unique. It is the most true links Open I have ever played. It’s such a fun place. I’ve never had such a productive missed cut as at the Scottish Open on Friday because it’s been so nice to come out here and have two days of preparation.”

Thomas seeks his third major championship and second of the year.

He made a stirring Sunday comeback at the PGA Championship a couple months ago.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide owns nine top-10s on the PGA Tour this season. He’s made the cut in all three majors and finished T-8th at the Masters.

Thomas has made three of five cuts at The Open Championship and took T-40th last year at Royal St. George’s.

His professional debut came at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2013. JT missed the 54-hole cut at the three-course tournament, but of no fault to his play at St. Andrews. He poured in eight birdies en route to a first-round 66.

Thomas did not qualify for the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews.

The 29-year-old ranks third on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained per round (1.862) and is top-30 in each SG category except for putting, where he’s still a solid 57th.

JT has the iron play that can hold up in blustery conditions. He’s sixth in SG approach (.822) and is first in proximity from the fairway (27’6”). That’s enticing given the lack of rough at St. Andrews.

So is the fact he’s first in proximity from 75-100 yards (12’) and 50-125 (14’1”).

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