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Given the tough year, where he only had three top finishes and slipped out of the top ten ranking, when Justin Thomas made it to the US team for the Ryder Cup, everyone was not happy. For many, US team captain Zach Johnson’s risky and bold move had put the American dream in jeopardy. Johnson, however, seemed to have faith in Thomas’ abilities and offered him another chance to demonstrate his worth.

Now that the Ryder Cup is the road to redemption for Thomas, he is leaving no stone unturned to make his game stronger. He even made some significant changes to his team and parted ways with his putting coach. And now that the Solheim Cup is over, the stellar performance of LPGA star Lexi Thompson is an inspiration for Thomas because she was in the same position as Thomas before the patriotic showdown.

An inspiration to Thomas after the stellar performance

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Lexi Thompson had a poor season. She missed the cut in 10 events but thanks to a unique Solheim Cup rule, she managed to qualify for the event. Now looking at Thompson’s game at the Cup, we can safely say that the LPGA star has made a grand comeback.

She and Megan Khang won their opening foursome on Friday. Thompson won her foursome on Saturday too. And then in yesterday’s singles matches, Thompson defeated Emily Kristine Pedersen 2&1. It was the first time in Solheim Cup history that the final result was a tie. Thompson well and truly proved her critics wrong.

The LPGA legend’s game is a stellar example for Thomas. JT also cheered for Thompson in his Twitter post. He wrote, Loved to see @Lexi go out and play great today in the anchor match.”

There is another member of the European team who thinks JT is a big threat in the upcoming Ryder Cup. His bad season so far will count for nothing once the hallowed gets underway this week in Rome.

The Irishman would rather have a different opponent

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Four-time Major champion, Rory McIlroy didn’t understand the backlash Johnson received after bringing JT into his team. McIlroy felt that the entire conversation around JT was unwarranted because, in his opinion, JT is one of the biggest competitors.

Read More: ‘Would Be Fire’: Golf Fans Validate Team USA’s Admirers Major Change Plea After Drama At 2023 Solheim Cup

And McIlroy even revealed that he would rather play against any different member of the US team than JT. ”Honestly, there are other guys on that team that I’d rather face than JT,” said McIlroy. Now that the ”Battle of Rome” is just a few days away, let’s see if JT emerges from the ashes just like Thompson did.

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Watch This Story: ‘Put Yourself in Those Shoes’: Triggered by Lexi Thompson’s Press Conference Blowout Jessica Korda Comes to the Rescue of the Solheim Cup Patriot