Thomas seeks end to two and a half year drought in the Bahamas
Two-time major winner Justin Thomas will bid to end a two-and-a-half-year drought when he takes a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler into the final round of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Wielding a 46-inch driver to great effect and putting well, the Louisville star carded a bogey-free, six under 66 to head the world number one on 17 under at Albany.
“Yeah, it would be great,” said Thomas, who hit a 361-yard drive onto the green at the seventh.
“I've been progressing nicely, been working on all the right things. Feel like I've been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want, and that's all I can do.”
Scheffler shot a ho-hum 69 by his high standards to sit alone in second on 16 under as Tom Kim defied windy conditions and made 12 birdies and a double bogey at the 17th in a stunning 62 to trail Thomas by just two shots.
The Kentucky native (31) is looking to get back to winning ways after struggling on the greens for the past few years.
Having won 15 times on the PGA TOUR between 2015 and his second major win at the 2022 PGA Championship, the former world number one is now 25th in the world and winless since that Wanamaker Trophy triumph at Southern Hills in Tulsa.
He became a father for the first time last month, and after finishing seventh at September’s Tour Championship and joint second in the ZOZO Championship last month, he’s keen to get over the line again after two winless years.
“It comes with the territory,” he said earlier this week. “I always tell people it beats the alternative. If I was a terrible player and fighting to keep my card, nobody would care that I haven't won in two seasons.
“But playing well and putting myself in contention and expecting to do so, I think that's reasonable (to ask about the drought).
“I just plan to hopefully win a bunch this season and stop having to answer that question.”
He explained his mindset in his pre-tournament press conference.
“I feel like I've been making progress, kind of steps in the right direction as the year's gone on,”Thomas said.
“I feel like I've been getting closer and closer. I feel like it was a big reason I wanted to play this week; I feel like it was one last opportunity to try to win a tournament this year.”
Armed with his new claw putting grip for putts from around 10 feet, Scheffler is a big threat to Thomas and Kim.
“I mean, pleased, I think would be a stretch,” Scheffler said of his third round. “But overall, my game's in a good spot. I've liked what I've seen the last few days and hoping to finish off with a real solid round.”
Kim is winless this year, but after threatening to shoot 59 at Albany on Saturday until he double-bogeyed the 17th, he holed out for birdie from a greenside bunker at the 18th for a round that saw him make 135 feet of putts.
“Yeah, I had a tip earlier this week from a putting coach,” Kim said. “Putting hasn't been my strength this year and l've just kind of been paying a lot of attention this offseason and a day like today definitely rewards something like that.”
