Justin Thomas booked his place at the 2018 Tournament of Champions, by winning the 2017 Tournament of Champions, on Sunday evening in Hawaii.
The win is Thomas' third on the PGA Tour, but his first on American soil. His two previous wins came at the 2015 and 2016 CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Despite winning the opening PGA Tour event of 2017, Thomas is the first multiple winner of the season. His win in Malaysia last October was one of the first events of the current season.
The 23-year-old's win has maintained his second place in the FedEx Cup rankings. He lies behind Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, the man he beat in Hawaii.
"It changes things going forward 'cause I know I'm coming back here next year."
It's good to win the @PGATOUR_TOC pic.twitter.com/UgoAtH53iV
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 9, 2017
Thomas started the day two-shots clear of the World number six, but by the eighth hole, that extended to five shots. By the 15th there was just a shot between the players, after the American double-bogeyed the par-five.
Despite the late round blip, and the improving form of Matsuyama, he held out for the win, which was as good as confirmed with a birdie on the 17th, following an excellent approach to the penultimate hole.
For anyone who is worried about JT ... 🎯#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/5YL4LBPKfu
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 9, 2017
After the win, Thomas was congratulated by close friends Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker. With two wins already this season, the 23-year-old could join his friends in the major-winners club very soon.
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