Hard work always pays off! As the golf world prepares for the upcoming major, a familiar face is ready to leave his lasting marks on the 2024 Open Championship. Justin Thomas is a player that every golf lover knows and loves. The two-time PGA Championship winner has proved himself to be one of the best golfers the industry has ever had by qualifying for the last major of the season! As fans eagerly await his performance starting on July 18th, they can’t help but wonder, how did he secure his spot among the world’s top golfers?

Well, the answer is right here! Thomas has earned his place among golf’s elite, joining the likes of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry. The golfer has secured his spot in the Open Championship through not one, but two impressive eligibility criteria of the Open Championship.

Thomas’s hard work has paid off, as he currently ranks 26th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), and the requirement is to be in the top 50. Not only that, but the golfer has also aced another criterion for the British Open, i.e., two-time PGA Championship winner. Thomas won two PGA Championships in 2017 and 2022. In the 2017 PGA Championship, the golfer defeated the likes of Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen, and Patrick Reed to secure the trophy. Similarly, Thomas made a score of five under par in a brutal playoff and snatched the trophy out of Will Zalatoris’ hands at the 2022 PGA Championship. 

You must be wondering why the qualifications for the tournament are so difficult, well that’s because of the impressive prize purse it possesses! The R&A hasn’t announced the prize money for the 2024 Open Championship, let’s see what they had to offer at the 2023 Open!

What was at stake at the 2023 Open Championship?

The purse for this year’s tournament is similar to that of the previous year, which got an 18% increase compared to the  $14 million prize money at the 150th Open Championship. A whopping $16.5 million was at stake at the Royal Liverpool last year, attracting golfers from around the world. The impressive prize money had golfers like Jason Day, Joo-hyung Kim, Jon Rahm, and Sepp Straka competing for the winner’s share. 

But this year’s defending champion, Brian Harman, made the historic win. He not only conquered the long-sought-after Clater Jug, but also made a whopping $3 million at the 2023 Open Championship. While the R&A is yet to announce the prize money for the 2024 Open Championship, the players are gearing up for the upcoming challenge. 

Justin Thomas has set the expectations high for his performance and everyone is awaiting the day to see the real action. Do you think he will be able to prove himself once again by winning the 2024 Open Championship? Let us know in the comment section below!