That's one way to get the hometown crowd involved. Justin Thomas, a Louisville native, on the 503-yard par-4 16th, holed out from greenside for his first birdie of the day as the ball trundled into the bottom of the cup. The 2017 and 2022 PGA Championship winner moved back to even par for his first round with the chip-in.
The shot might be part of a home course advantage for Thomas. The 31-year-old grew up near Valhalla Golf Club and played the track 10 to 15 times, though Thomas told his dad on Sunday that it had been at least eight years since he played at the venue. At his pre-tournament press conference Tuesday, he recalled watching Tiger Woods win the 2000 PGA Championship in person at Valhalla when he was seven years old.
"I've never played a professional tournament, let alone a PGA, in my hometown, so I'm sure it will be some new feelings, some good feelings," Thomas said.
Thomas is looking for his first victory since the 2022 PGA at Southern Hills when he trailed by seven shots at the beginning of Sunday to tie the largest 54-hole comeback in Championship history.
