The post-round winner interview is a special thing in golf.
For those who win often, it becomes a formality â win, fist pump, hug the caddie, talk to the media. But occasionally, it offers a peek into a playerâs deepest emotions. That was the case for Michael Thompson Sunday afternoon at TPC Twin Cities.
Thompson won for just the second time in a 10-year Tour career, and the first time since 2013. His birdie on the 18th hole netted him a 2-stroke win and just under $1.2 million dollars, but the real gain was far greater.
The win gave him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, it pushed him into the top 40 in the FedEx Cup, guaranteed him a spot in this yearâs first two-majors (the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open) as well as an invite to next Aprilâs Masters tournament.
âItâs been a long time,â Thompson said, choked up. âIâm really sad my wife and kids arenât here to celebrate this with me. I canât wait to see them. Babe, I love ya. I donât know what else to say, this is so exciting.
âI just played such great golf today. Stayed within myself, believed in myself. I couldnât have asked for anything more.â
Amanda Balionis rattled off what the victory meant for Thompsonâs status, and it became quickly apparent how important it was to him.Â
âItâs the world,â Thompson said. âItâs what makes this game so unbelievable. We have to play for our job every year. To know that I have security for two more years, and to get in to all those tournaments. One of my biggest goals was to get back to Winged Foot. That was my first U.S. Amateur. Itâs my favorite golf course in the whole world. To get into the PGA [Championship] and get into next week (WGC-FedEx St. Jude) is just a huge bonus. I have to get my mind right for sweating next week [in Memphis], but, uh, oh man. Itâs just so exciting.â