Justin Thomas is one of the most popular golfers on the PGA Tour. Thomas has earned several accolades as a professional and continues to keep pushing for more. JT was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to an avid golf-loving family. His dad Mike Thomas is a head professional at a golf club, and his late maternal grandfather Paul Thomas competed at major championships in the ‘60s. 

Paul Thomas was his grandson’s biggest fan. While Paul could not attend every event Thomas was playing, he would always cheer him on through television and massively embraced JT’s 2017 PGA Championship win.

Paul Thomas himself has competed in two PGA Championships as well. Thomas was born in Ashland, Kentucky, and he left school at the age of 17 in hopes of making a career in professional golf. 

However, he was unable to find success and break into the pro-tour. Thomas later moved back to Cincinnati where he got down to teaching the game to others. Despite not gaining an entry into the PGA Tour, Paul Thomas played at the 1960 and 1961 PGA Championships and the 1962 U.S. Open as well. 

After his short major-stint, Paul Thomas spent most of his life teaching at the Zanesville Country Club in Ohio. He also made three cuts at the U.S. Senior Open. 

‘Heaven got a good one’ – Justin Thomas on his grandfather’s demise

While Paul Thomas couldn’t succeed in his quest of becoming a PGA Tour professional, he watched his grandson Justin Thomas accomplish every one of it. Paul Thomas was there at the Firestone Country Club in 2018 when JT won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Justin Thomas learned a lot from his grandfather in his childhood. Both his dad and his granddad were instrumental in shaping his career. When Paul Thomas passed away at 89-years-old in February 2021, Justin Thomas was at TPC Scottsdale, competing at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Thomas did not leave the tournament immediately and held on to his emotions to complete his rounds. He later made a social media tribute to his beloved grandfather.

“Heaven got a good one yesterday. Wish you were still here to tell me how many putts I missed on days like yesterday! Nobody’s voice would make me happier when I would hear it over the phone. Will love and miss you, G Pa,” Thomas wrote. 

Justin Thomas will be playing his first PGA Championship since the demise of his grandfather Paul Thomas. He did not have anything to say when asked about it and looked focused on the major. 

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