Justin Thomas has picked up on Rickie Fowler and his team with a funny, sly take. Despite emerging victorious with a 6-5 win in the TGL Finals Series, Thomas couldn’t help but feel a little left out. As he walked off the course, the cheers and chants for Fowler were still echoing through the air, leaving Thomas to wonder if his opponent had somehow managed to stack the deck.

It’s understandable that Thomas would feel this way, because the win was a hard-fought one, with Patrick Cantlay sinking a crucial 6-footer for birdie on the final hole to give Atlanta the edge. The victory gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, with the SoFi Cup on the line. However, Thomas’s win was bittersweet, as he felt the crowd’s adoration for Fowler overshadowed his own team’s triumph.

“I kind of felt like the loser at school tonight,” Thomas admitted at the latest TGL press conference. “Like we had everybody against us.” He jokingly questioned Fowler about the crowd’s loyalty, saying “I said to Rick, I was like, did you guys fly these people in, or where is it from?” Thomas quipped. “He didn’t disclose that, so it kind of, makes me think they had a little something to do with it.” Thomas’s lighthearted jab shows his ability to laugh at himself and a sticky situation. What a refreshing quality in a competitor.

Despite the banter, Justin Thomas acknowledged that his team thrives in high-energy environments. “We all enjoy that kind of arena or atmosphere, and I’m sure tomorrow will be on another level on both sides,” he said. “I know we’re going to bring it, and I’m sure they will, too.” This mindset will serve Thomas well in the next match, and it’s clear that he’s ready for the challenge.

Well, Thomas isn’t the only golfer who has left the greens feeling like a failure even though he won the match. Vijay Singh, a 61-year-old golf legend, knows this feeling all too well.

Vijay Singh and John Daly’s 2004 Buick Open battle

In 2004, Singh stunned the golf world with his incredible performance at the Buick Open. Paired with the infamous John Daly, Singh faced a crowd overwhelmingly cheering for his opponent. “It was noisy, and the crowd was all for him,” Singh reflected. Despite the intense pressure, Singh remained calm and focused, eventually emerging victorious with a 5-under 67. “I’m just growing up, I guess, and handling the pressure better,” he said.

Singh’s win was a testament to his skill and determination, but it’s also a reminder that even the greatest golfers can feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle. As Singh reflected on that day, he joked that Daly must have paid the crowd to cheer for him. “I said to John, ‘Did you pay these people to cheer for you?'” Singh quipped. But in reality, his ability to thrive under pressure was the key to his success. 34 tour wins and three major championships, that’s an impressive legacy!

The 2004 Buick Open was a thrilling tournament that saw Singh and Daly in a fierce battle for the top spot. Daly started strong, carding five birdies and an eagle in the first round, but Singh was hot on his heels. “John put a lot of pressure on me early. I’ve never had that kind of a battle,” he said. Let’s be honest, sportsmanship can take on witty, fun sides and it’s always drama. And Thomas reflected, so what are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below!