The two-time champion seeks to regain form after a challenging season.

Justin Thomas is embracing a sense of optimism as he prepares to defend his US PGA Championship title at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester. The 30-year-old golfer, who secured major wins at the US PGA in 2017 and 2022, acknowledges the challenges of his recent performances but believes he is turning a corner.

Thomas enters the tournament after missing the cut at the Masters for the first time in eight appearances, with his best finish this year being fourth at the Phoenix Open. Aside from the Valspar Championship, where he earned a top-10 result, Thomas’ season has been marked by struggles. However, a promising performance at the Wells Fargo Championship has provided him with renewed confidence.

Reflecting on his journey, Thomas shared, “The past few months have offered a lot of learning opportunities through setbacks and challenges. I feel like I’m starting to see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. There are days when shooting 70 feels like the best I can do, but it’s still better than 71. It’s about gradually finding my way back and building confidence.”

Thomas described the paradox of feeling simultaneously distant and close to his best form. “It’s tough to explain, but it’s how you learn and grow,” he said. “You play your way out of it, hit the shots when it matters, and make the crucial putts. Confidence builds gradually, and soon enough, the struggles fade into the background.”

The golfer has been preparing for the rigorous test of Oak Hill’s course, spending time familiarising himself with its challenges. “I walked the course on Sunday with my wedges and putter, practising around the greens. On Monday, I played it in full, and it’s everything I’ve heard—an incredibly tough test,” Thomas remarked.

As a 20-1 shot to claim his third US PGA Championship, Thomas is focused on steady improvement. “I saw positive signs in Charlotte, and I’m aiming to carry that momentum into this week,” he said.