23 August 2023 , 13:21
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U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has been warned he could make the 'worst mistake ever' when it comes to deciding whether Justin Thomas is worthy of a pick at this year's event.
Thomas has been a mainstay in America's Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams in recent years, and played a huge role in their thumping victory over their European rivals at Whistling Straits two years ago. This time around though, Thomas' chances of defending their Ryder Cup crown is in doubt.
The 30-year-old has endured a tough 2023 campaign, which saw him miss out on the FedEx Cup playoffs for this first time since he debuted back in 2014.
The two-time major champion missed the cut in five of his last eight events of the season, ensuring he missed out on the FedEx Cup playoffs by a single spot. The poor run of form could not have come at a worse time for Thomas, with Ryder Cup selection right around the corner.
There is no doubt skipper Johnson has a plethora of talent to choose from, with many in a much richer vein of form than 30-year-old Thomas. Despite this one man who believes the 15-time PGA Tour winner should be on the plane to Italy is former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.
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Justin Thomas has endured a tough run in recent months (Getty Images)Calling on Johnson to go with experience over form, Ogilvy told Golfweek : "If they don’t take him, it’s the worst call ever. He’s the best head-to-head match player in the world. JT would be my first pick. I’ve been inside the ropes at enough Presidents Cups there’s just no chance you don’t take Justin.
"He does something to the team. He goes out front and leads and fist pumps and makes everyone behind him believe.” Thomas himself rated his own chances of making the team following a missed cut at last month's Open Championship, admitting he had been trying 'too hard' to impress his captain.
“Yeah, obviously. I want to make the Ryder Cup more than anything. I'm probably honestly trying too hard to do it," he said. “It reminds me a lot of my first or second year on Tour. I've tried so hard to make that team for the first time. I'm in a very similar position. I've been trying to make it easy on Zach and get in the top six, but I seem to not want to do that with my golf.”