Justin Thomas recently recounted a memorable moment involving golf legend Tiger Woods during the 2020 Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Course. The story highlights a humorous exchange where Woods delivered a sharp comeback while Thomas was FaceTiming him and joking about Woods missing the tournament that year.
Ahead of the final FedEx Cup playoff event in 2020, Thomas was walking the 18th hole and showing Woods around the course via video call. Despite Woods not qualifying for the tournament, Thomas teased him, only to be quickly humbled by the 82-time PGA Tour winner.
In response, Woods appeared on the call wearing a green jacket from one of his Masters Tournament triumphs, a title Thomas has yet to claim. Thomas laughed while recalling the moment as a perfect example of Woods’ quick wit and legendary presence.
“He acted like his phone cut out and then he called me back like two minutes later with the green jacket on. I remember that very very very vividly. So, just a typical conversation of thinking I’m having some type of upper edge and then I get shut down and put in my place pretty quickly,” he recalled.
—Justin Thomas, Golfer
Justin Thomas, a 16-time PGA Tour winner with two major championships to his name, continues to chase his first Masters victory at Augusta National. His best finish at the Masters so far was a solo fourth place. The upcoming 2025 Tour Championship, beginning on August 21 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, marks another important opportunity for Thomas to secure a Tour Championship title, as he has not won that event despite capturing the FedEx Cup in 2017.
Justin Thomas’ Current Position in the FedEx Cup Race
As one of the top 30 players entering the final FedEx Cup playoff, Justin Thomas comes into the Tour Championship ranked 12th after a 33rd-place tie at the recent BMW Championship. Last week, he was ninth in the standings but fell slightly following his performance at BMW.
This season, Thomas has shown strong form, winning the 2025 RBC Heritage by defeating Andrew Novak in a playoff thanks to a birdie on the first extra hole. At 32 years old, Thomas has consistently been among the contenders, accumulating seven top-10 finishes and three runner-up results over 19 PGA Tour events.
Apart from his win at RBC Heritage, Thomas’ notable second-place finishes this season include the American Express, Valspar Championship, and a tie for second at the Truist Championship held earlier in May. Despite these successes, he did miss the cut at both the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open this year.
Thomas’ ongoing determination and strong season results keep him in the mix as he aims for his first Tour Championship victory, a title that has so far eluded him even as a FedEx Cup champion.
What Justin Thomas’ Experience Suggests for the Tour Championship
Thomas’ encounter with Tiger Woods underscores the competitive nature and rich history surrounding the Tour Championship and its players. With Woods’ green jacket symbolizing the ultimate achievement at the Masters, Thomas’ pursuit of similar success fuels his motivation heading into the 2025 event at East Lake.
The upcoming tournament represents more than just another competition for Thomas; it is an opportunity to add a significant milestone to his career and solidify his status among golf’s elite. With his recent form and clear hunger for victory, Thomas will be a player to watch closely as the FedEx Cup playoffs conclude in Atlanta.