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Justin Thomas calls out opponents for not giving short birdie putt

Dylan DethierBy Dylan Dethier
December 14, 2019

When Justin Thomas hit his approach shot at the 11th hole some three feet past the hole on Friday at the Presidents Cup, he waved to the crowd and smiled to partner Rickie Fowler, assuming it was a kick-in for birdie. Instead, opponent Marc Leishman waved him up, requesting that he mark the ball.

It was an interesting exchange; Golf Channel’s announcers were curious whether or not Thomas was obligated to go mark his ball, which was in place as a potential backstop as Fowler prepared to hit a pitch shot from 50 yards. After a short back-and-forth Thomas, who didn’t want to interrupt his partner’s rhythm, begrudgingly walked up and marked his Titleist.

Fowler followed with a middling pitch that settled 20 feet from the hole and went on to make par. Leishman made par, too. Then Thomas finished off his three-footer for birdie to send the match 3-up in favor of the Americans. That’s when things got interesting.

Justin Thomas made a short birdie putt at No. 11.
Justin Thomas made a short birdie putt at No. 11.
Golf Channel

Thomas dropped his putter down from the hole to the ball, measuring the distance of the putt he’d just made. It seemed like he was showing up his opponents, displeased with the entire sequence. Social media had a field day.

So was Thomas having a laugh, or was he legitimately upset with his opponents? If he was wishing for a gimme, he doesn’t have much of a case — any opponent would want to see a three-footer when they’re already 2 down. You can decide yourself by watching the entire exchange below.