Justin Thomas won the final major of the year with an impressive two-shot victory in the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
Here, Press Association Sport looks some things that have become clear during the course of the tournament.
Younger generation taking over
Congrats JT!!!! Way to rise above the carnage and out execute everyone on that back nine. @JustinThomas34 — Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 13, 2017
Congrats to @JustinThomas34 on the Major Triumph today!! Awesome stuff the back nine!!! #majorchamp — Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) August 13, 2017
Congratulations @JustinThomas34!! #PGAChamp!! The first of many more to come for you 🏆⛳️ — Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) August 13, 2017
Thomas’ victory underlines the belief that he is one of the rising stars of the world game. He is just 24, the same as Open champion Jordan Spieth, who already has three majors to his name. With Tiger Woods out of the picture, Phil Mickelson now missing back-to-back cuts at majors and Ernie Els struggling it feels like the guard is changing. Hideki Matsuyama (25), Rory McIlroy (28), Jon Rahm (22), Jason Day (29), Rickie Fowler (28) and Brooks Koepka (27) are also under 30 and among the stars of the modern game.
McIlroy needs a break
Rory McIlroy
It has not been a great year for Rory McIlroy. He went into the US PGA Championship as favourite based on a strong late charge at the Open last month and his impressive past record at Quail Hollow but he failed to spark. This should probably not be a surprise given how inconsistent his performances have been of late. Hampered by fitness problems, his form through the middle part of the summer was poor and other distractions have included a new club deal and parting company with his long-time caddie. On top of this he also got married earlier in the year. Perhaps he needs a bit of time away to rest his body, refresh himself mentally and find a new caddie.
Course changes made a difference
We're back flying high over the @PGAChampionship to see who takes home the Wanamaker! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/nzkaAC1kcH — Goodyear Blimp (@GoodyearBlimp) August 13, 2017
Quail Hollow underwent some major changes to host the US PGA Championship and it made for some tough scoring. Four holes were renovated extensively and a different, faster-playing grass was introduced on the greens. This transformed the Charlotte, North Carolina, course from what was already a strong venue on the regular PGA Tour to one truly worthy of hosting a major. It was almost US Open-like in its difficulty, in a year when the US Open itself played more like a traditional US PGA. It is perhaps becoming harder to define these two majors by the style of courses on which they are held.
Ryder Cup signals
Ryder Cup trash talk at the @PGAChampionship?😉 pic.twitter.com/uqbdUKiDvc — Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) August 7, 2017
The omens for the next year’s Ryder Cup are looking very good for the United States. Three of this years majors were won by young Americans while there were plenty more stars and stripes on the leaderboards too. There is still another year before the teams head to Le Golf National in Paris, but the US could have a potentially formidable line-up on a course that could play to the big-hitting strengths of a lot them. For Europe there has at least been the welcome rise of Jon Rahm, although he failed to shine at Quail Hollow.
Matsuyama belongs among the elite
Matsuyama's last 59 holes:
🦅 1 eagle
🐥 22 birdies
⚫️ 5 bogeys
​🔥 19 under par pic.twitter.com/EsOIytItR3 — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 12, 2017
The title of ‘best player never to win a major’ arguably now belongs to Matsuyama. The exciting Japanese talent impressed in all four of this year’s big events and it seems only a matter of time before he wins one. He is ranked second in the world and has no obvious weaknesses in his game at present.