Will Justin Thomas be able to reclaim his former popularity and status in the golf industry? Two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas has had a challenging run of years lately, despite his prominence in the golfing world. After winning his second PGA Championship in May 2022, Thomas struggled to add another title to his stellar record. He missed the FedExCup playoffs by a hair on a hole-out try in 2023. He fared somewhat better but still didn’t meet his goals last year, finishing in the top 10 seven times in 20 events. The 31-year-old golfer is now desperate to end his two-year winless streak.

But, as the 2025 season progresses, concerns are raised over his consistency and form after Thomas missed to win the title in The American Express 2025 despite putting up strong performances. During a recent discussion among analysts, Thomas became the subject of extensive scrutiny, with admirers hoping to see him return to his previous brilliance while others questioned his form. To better understand the situation, let’s look into this analyst’s point of view!

Justin Thomas’s ‘Meaningless Events’ controversy

In his pursuit of resurgence, Thomas has come under pressure from several sources. In Episode 944, AmEx Reaction + TC’s return from Argentina, the panel analyst from the “No Laying Up Podcast” discussed Thomas’s gameplay in The American Express this year. DJ one of the panelists remarked, “JT finishes solo second, some signs of life from him. Quietly playing pretty nice, man, at some somewhat meaningless events. T2 at the Zozo third at the hero and then solo second this week.” implying that due to lesser visibility of some tournaments, his greatest finishes were irrelevant. 

TC another panelist takes over the mic saying, “I was just gonna say to see him compete in a, you know dog sh*t putting contest right that’s got a bode well.” This suggests that Thomas should be focusing more on crucial events and keeping an eye on his shots and moves to secure his victory on the course. Solid Tron, the third panelist, also shared his thoughts on Thomas’s confidence while doing some tight twirls on the course. He added, “It looked a little bit more confident. A couple of tight twirls in there kind of just looked like a little bit of a different confidence level from JT and a little bit. I mean, the whole thing with both him and speed for the last couple of years has just been like, it just doesn’t last 72 holes.” Such remarks, however, highlight the strain placed on top sportsmen to constantly deliver their best work.

For Thomas, these comments are a challenge as much as an inspiration. His dedication to honing his craft and aiming for triumphs in esteemed competitions demonstrates his will to quiet critics. Thomas believes he used to take winning for granted, but after having his fortitude tested, he will now look for a new goal to extend his run as a U.S. Ryder Cup cornerstone and turn these “meaningless” efforts into significant victories. With this, let’s find out who took the victory shot from Thomas in The American Express.

Sepp Straka defeats Thomas by a margin of two shots

For Thomas, the American Express competition in La Quinta, California, was crucial. Throughout the competition, he had shown flashes of genius in an attempt to snap his winless streak. Sepp Straka of Austria, however, emerged victorious in the end, defeating Thomas by two shots.

As Straka made his way through the difficult competition courses, his steady play and poise under duress were clear to see. In addition to being a noteworthy personal accomplishment, his win demonstrated the PGA Tour’s growing level of competition. For Thomas, being second served as a reminder of the narrow margins that divide triumph and disappointment as well as a tribute to his persistent talent. 

With much anticipation, the golf community awaits Justin Thomas’s next appearance. Will Justin Thomas’s prior struggles continue to hinder his progress, or will he quiet his detractors and take back the top spot on the leaderboard? The voyage is sure to be a gripping tale of perseverance, resolve, and the unrelenting quest for perfection, but only time will tell.