Mike Thomas, father of two-time major champion Justin Thomas, is calling BS on reports that he and his son are on the outs.
“You’re kidding. That’s just stupid,” Mike Thomas told Golf Digest on Wednesday, when asked about the rumor his role as swing coach was being “severely” restricted.
“That’s what some people in the media do. It’s ridiculous. I just left Justin. We worked all morning. But, listen, if he did fire me, and it was for the better, then what’s the problem? I guess they have to have something to talk about.”
The buzz began Tuesday when Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis reported Justin is “still working with his father, Mike, as his swing coach, but not as much right now, he’s kind of put his father a little bit in the background.”
Mike Thomas admitted he and Justin cut back on the one-on-one instruction last year, but noted they have “picked it up a bit” since May to incorporate some swing changes.
According to the report, Mike Thomas also said Justin sends him video on a nightly basis, looking for feedback, but admitted, “There are things a player needs to do himself; he’s been working really hard.”
Tuesday’s report came after Justin Thomas was selected as a captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, which caused a bit of an uproar.
Thomas, 30, has struggled this year and watched his position in the Ryder Cup standings fall to No. 15.
That didn’t stop captain Zach Johnson from selecting Thomas over higher-ranked players, including No. 9 Cameron Young and No. 11 Keegan Bradley.
Perhaps Johnson is banking on Thomas’ two previous Ryder Cup runs and his impressive 6-2-1 record.
Thomas won the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022, but hasn’t earned a victory since last year’s thrilling comeback when he overcame a seven-shot deficit on the final day of the major to beat Will Zalatoris in a playoff.
Thomas finished 71st in the FedExCup Standings this year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
He season ended in heartbreak last month at the Wyndham Championship.
Needing a birdie on the final hole to qualify for the FedExCup playoffs, his chip shot at 18 was right on target but the ball bounced off the bottom of the pin and stayed out, with Thomas falling to the ground in disappointment.