Rising up from almost making a cut is something rare. So rare, in fact, that Joe Highsmith, who raised a trophy after nearly missing the cutline at Cognizant Classic, was only the 6th player to accomplish it after nine long years.
A similar scenario might be unfolding after the second round at The Players Championship. After opening with a disappointing 78 in the first round, Justin Thomas left everyone astonished with a 16-stroke improvement, finishing with an impressive 62 on Friday. Although Thomas has a long way to go to reach the top, he sits comfortably at T29.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 14: Justin Thomas of The United States acknowledges the gallery after holing a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2025 at… PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – MARCH 14: Justin Thomas of The United States acknowledges the gallery after holing a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2025 at TPC Sawgrass on March 14, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) David Cannon/Getty Images
“I’m really, really proud of myself, to come out with the mentality and attitude is one thing, but to put myself in the position I did,” Thomas said, after impressing viewers on the green.
After sinking a lengthy birdie on 17, Thomas sat at 11-under par. He just needed par on 18 to set the course record set by Tom Hoge in 2023. Sadly, he hit one into the water and had to settle for a course record-tying 62.
Interestingly, Hoge first achieved the record when the 15-time PGA Tour winner was standing right next to him.
“I think on 17, Tom Hoge and I were hugging, and I was like, ‘Wow, I forgot, he shot 62 when I played with him.’ I did remember that after that,” Thomas revealed after the round.
“I just wanted to make another birdie, and then once I missed the fairway, birdie is kind of out of the question,” Thomas added. “And then I was trying to hit something short of the green there, and the rough grabbed the face enough to have it shoot out straight left, and with the momentum of that ball, it’s obviously going in the water.
“But I very easily could have hit it where I wanted to, hit a really good pitch or chip and a really good putt, and not gone in and made the same score. I’m in no way, shape, or form letting that dwell on the great round I had today.”
But, even to achieve a top 10 finish, the 31-year old PGA Tour pro will have to continue shocking prospectors at TPC Sawgrass. Currently, Min Woo Lee is leading the historic event, carding a total of 11-under par, matched by Akshay Bhatia.
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