Justin Thomas’s Pebble Beach Dream Still Not Confirmed Leaving Hayden Buckley in Deep Prayers

Turns out a T3 finish at the American Express was no guarantee for Justin Thomas. PGA Tour Communications revealed that Thomas’s Pebble Beach outing is still hanging by a thread. The only way for the two-time major champion to qualify for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is if he can manage to stay within the top 30 in OWGR next week.

Currently, at 23, Thomas needs to maintain the last few spots when OWGR publishes its ranking after the Farmers Insurance Open. The 30-year-old has to rely on the World Ranking thanks to his dismal form last season. Justin Thomas made only four top-10 finishes and missed six cuts last season to crash out of the top 50 in the FedEx Cup rankings, which ruined his chances of teeing up at the Sentry as well. 

Notably, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has four sponsor exemptions. However, as of now, Peter Malnati, Maverick McNealy, Adam Scott, and Webb Simpson have received the exemptions, which effectively block the 15-time PGA Tour winner’s chances. It is indeed a shocker since only days ago the organizers posted a tweet welcoming the two-time Major champion to the field. The only time he played here was in 2014 when Thomas missed the 54-hole cut.

In case he slips up, though, Hayden Buckley has a chance to take his place at Pebble Beach on February 1. But for Buckley, who currently sits at the 135th position in the OWGR, the road is even more uphill. Undoubtedly, the table will go through some major shakeups after the Farmers Insurance Open. OWGR Guru, Nosferatu predicted that Nicolai Hojgaard, who finished in the second spot, will come within the top 30, whereas the champion, Matthieu Pavon, will take up the 34th spot. 

Signature events include the top 50 from the FedEx Cup fall rankings. In addition to that, the current year’s champions, Aon Next 10, and Aon Swing 5 leaders are eligible. Currently, none of that offers any hope for Buckely. However, per official rules, the Tour will look at the players beyond the FedEx fall rankings if the need arises to fill the 80-man field. Buckley is currently in the 70th position in that. 

Who will be in the field at the AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am?

18 of the top 20 in the World Golf Ranking will travel to Pebble Beach for the $3.6 million winner’s paycheck. Aside from them, American Express winner Nick Dunlap, who decided to turn Pro after his history-shattering victory, will tee up at Pebble Beach. Matthieu Pavon, another first-time winner on the Tour, has also earned the spot after his clutch win at the Farmers Insurance Open. 

Read More: Justin Thomas WITB 2024: All You Need to Know About the 2X Major Winner’s Golfing Equipment

From the other side of the pond, Rory

McIlroy, in a bid to polish his game more before the Masters, has also joined the field. McIlroy will be accompanied by his Ryder Cup teammates, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Viktor Hovland, who will return to the greens after the Sentry.

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