Jordan Spieth missed out on becoming the youngest winner of a career grand slam but still had reason to celebrate as his good friend Justin Thomas claimed a first major title in the US PGA Championship.
Thomas carded a closing 68 in a pulsating final round at Quail Hollow to finish eight under par, two shots ahead of Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Francesco Molinari.
When a dream becomes reality. pic.twitter.com/tEIPLxitd0 — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 13, 2017
Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama shared fifth place on five under with Kevin Kisner, who needed to eagle the 18th to force a play-off but ran up a double bogey, dropping back into a tie for seventh with Graham DeLaet.
Strong finish. T14th ✍🏽
Not bad for your Major debut. pic.twitter.com/GvTJkV5kS1 — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 13, 2017
England’s Jordan Smith, playing in his first major championship, carded a closing 68 to finish in a tie for ninth with Open runner-up Matt Kuchar, former world number one Jason Day and Chris Stroud.
Tweet of the day
"Hey, JT, crazy thought. When we grow up, let's win back-to-back majors. You in?" pic.twitter.com/Y6ftBnP5BP — Alan Bastable (@alan_bastable) August 13, 2017
@alan_bastable comes up with a great tagline for the famous picture of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth sat together at a junior event in France.
Shot of the day
Jon Rahm’s second shot to the 18th finished on the edge of the creek which runs the length of the hole, leaving him unable to take his normal stance behind the ball. But in a manner befitting fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, Rahm opted to turn around and play the shot backwards, producing a brilliant one-handed pitch to find the green.
Round of the day
The moment @JustinThomas34 became a Major champion 🏆🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/f9ZUrmeTj9 — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 13, 2017
Hoping I wake up tomorrow and this isn't all a dream 🙌🏽 — Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) August 14, 2017
It has to be the 68 by champion Justin Thomas, who started off by thinning a bunker shot on the first into another bunker and having to hole from 14 feet for par. Thomas bounced back and was five under par from the seventh to the 17th, making the most of a lucky bounce out of the trees on the 10th and chipping in for birdie on the 13th before sealing victory with a superb birdie on the penultimate hole.
Quote of the day
Rory from the road 🛣️
He made par. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/JsvMm7M9Rk — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 11, 2017
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. You might not see me until next year. You might see me in a couple of weeks’ time. It really depends.” Rory McIlroy is in two minds about his future plans due to an ongoing injury.
Statistic of the day
Justin Thomas is the eighth son of a PGA professional to win the US PGA (Ray Floyd did it twice) – via @GolfCentral
Toughest hole
For the first time the 12th played as the toughest hole, yielding just four birdies, 29 bogeys and six double bogeys for a scoring average of 4.493.
Easiest hole
"I think you'd take that" ... Patrick Reed is within 1 #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/wMwQ3sRnBW — PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 13, 2017
The par-five 15th proved the easiest for the fourth day running, with five eagles, 41 birdies and just three bogeys giving a scoring average of 4.360.
On the up
The chances of anyone with six letters in their first name and surname winning a major after Justin Thomas (count them), joined Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia on the 2017 roll of honour.
On the slide
Rory McIlroy hits from the bunker on the 15th hole (Chris O'Meara/AP)
Rory McIlroy’s prospects of winning the FedEx Cup for the second year running after the Northern Irishman said he may not play again this season in order to fully recover from a rib injury.