Coming of Age on the Green Mile

The infamous “Green Mile at Quail Hollow, a brutal stretch of closing holes where players try to hang on with pars, had been a scoring graveyard in the whole week of 2017 USPGA Championship. But it was there that Justin Thomas pushed out his horizons in Sunday’s fading light to win his maiden Major

Thomas’ parents watch the Awards Ceremony

Thomas’ victory at Quail Hollow is the latest chapter in a golf business family. Thomas became the eighth PGA Champion who is the son of a PGA Professional. His father, 57-year-old PGA Master Professional Mike Thomas, is the PGA Head Professional at Harmony Landing Golf Course in Goshen, Kentucky. Justin’s grandfather, Paul, is an 85-year-old retired PGA Life Member who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Paul joined the PGA of America in 1956.

"I can't put it into words," Thomas said about his PGA of America heritage. "I wish my grandpa could be here for it. It's so special to get it done. I've glad we have a trophy now."

In fact, Mike Thomas kept every golf ball from every tournament his son has ever won. He has 131 of them.

So, did he get the ball Thomas used on Sunday?

"You mean this one?" Mike Thomas said as he reached into his pocket and pulled it out.

Francesco Molinari hits out of the bunker on the 18th

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Written by Louie Chan

Photography by PGA of America

Click here to see the published article.

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