“Maybe Scottie Scheffler doesn't play” - Justin Thomas jokes about wishing to be World No.1 again

Justin Thomas was World No.1 in 2018 last, after experiencing a breakout year, recording five PGA Tour. The 2017 FedEx Cup championship winner became the 21st player to top the Official World Golf Ranking after replacing Dustin Johnson. The 32-year-old only held the position for a few weeks and now wishes to climb back up.

Thomas, who won the RBC Heritage in April and returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in three years, says climbing back to the No.1 OWGR spot is ‘still on his mind.’ However, the ace golfer hilariously admitted to the difficulty of doing so. The 16-time PGA Tour winner addressed Scottie Scheffler’s form and jokingly said the latter should stop playing to make the top-ranked spot available.

The two-time major winner added that players like Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy were also “playing unbelievable.” The Ryder Cupper was replying to a media query about the gap between the World No.1 and the rest of the ranked players when he made the comments.

Speaking at Oakmont ahead of the US Open, Justin Thomas said, as quoted by ASAP Sports:

“It (world No.1) is still on my mind. I even had the thought last week of -- I'm sure some people will laugh, but if I can even catch him this year. Win however many tournaments the rest of the year, and maybe Scottie (Scheffler) doesn't play or something… I think that's the thing about it is guys are playing unbelievable, like Xander (Schauffele) did last year, like Rory (McIlroy) is this year, but it's just that Scottie is also doing that…

It's still on the forefront of my mind, and it's something that I'm working toward. I obviously can't do anything about what he's doing, and he doesn't seem to be showing any signs of slowing down or wanting to. Just try to go win some tournaments, and hopefully get close sooner rather than later.”

For the unversed, Thomas currently sits fifth in the OWGR. The golfer had earlier dropped outside the top 30 after struggling through 2023 and 2024. However, he’s now climbed back up on the table, also owing to LIV Golfers’ gradual decline.

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Justin Thomas on Scottie Scheffler’s 'unbelievable' game

Justin Thomas went on to laud ‘effortless’ Scottie Scheffler’s achievements. The TGL star dubbed his rival’s game “unbelievable” and highlighted the latter’s ‘mental’ strength. He stated that the reigning PGA Championship winner “just doesn't make any mistakes” and is often in contention with himself.

Speaking about Scottie Scheffler ahead of the US Open, Justin Thomas said, as quoted by ASAP Sports:

“What is he doing? Well, everything. It's effortless. Every single aspect of his game is unbelievable. I think his mental game is better than anybody out here. To be able to play with those expectations and to stay present as often as he has to me is maybe more impressive than even the golf he's playing… He just seems to be playing better.”

Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler at Masters (Image via Imagn)

It is pertinent to note that Scheffler has so far contested in 12 PGA Tour events this year and has managed top-10 finishes in nine of them. The ace golfer, who missed the season-opener due to a home injury, has recorded three wins, including the PGA Championship. He comes into the US Open at Oakmont as the outright favourite on the back of a win at the Memorial Tournament.

Meanwhile, Justin Thomas has only managed six top-10 finishes in 13 starts this season so far. He won the RBC Heritage, his first win in nearly three years, after finishing T36 at the Masters. Notably, he also missed the cut at the PGA Championship. The American Express runner-up finisher arrives at the latest major after finishing T31 at the Memorial.