Justin Thomas ready for Masters bid with prospect of moving to world No 1
Tuesday 3 April 2018 22:21, UK
Justin Thomas says the prospect of becoming world No 1 is a driving motivator but is adamant his focus should not drift from matters on the course.
The 24-year-old secured his maiden major at the PGA Championship last summer and has become one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tours, with eight career titles to his name.
Thomas could have moved to the summit of golf at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play but lost his semi-final and admits he was distracted by the prize on offer - something he describes as "immature".
"It's very important to me. It's a huge goal of mine," Thomas said. "But at the end of the day, if I just continue to play well and continue to be in contention to win tournaments and win tournaments, it's something I feel like that's going to take care of itself.
"That's what I was a little upset with myself, that I got kind of wrapped up in last week, because I was playing my match to become No 1 in the world instead of playing my match to have a chance to win the tournament.
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"That's very immature of me. That's very not mentally strong. It's just unlike me. So that was frustrating. But it is a huge deal, and when and if it's meant to be, and however long, it will happen. I just need to go out and try to play well this week."
Dustin Johnson holds the world No 1 ranking ahead of the season's opening major and the US Open champion is focused on taking his game to new levels, after his hopes of a first Green Jacket were dashed after a back injury on the eve of the tournament.
"Coming into last year obviously I was playing very well and it was very disappointing not to be able to play, but it was a year ago, so a lot of things have happened since then," Johnson said.
"This year's completely different year, and really looking forward to coming into this year, especially missing last year. I'm always excited to come back here and play. I feel like the game is in really good shape and got a lot of confidence coming into here this week.
"It's pretty big accomplishment and I am definitely proud of myself for making it to No 1, but most importantly I want to stay here. To do that I got to keep pushing myself and keep working hard."
Jordan Spieth has challenged strongly on his last two visits to Augusta after victory in 2015 and pinpoints Rory McIlroy as a counterpart who strikes fear on the leaderboard as the Northern Irishman seeks to complete the Grand Slam.
"Rory McIlroy, he's been there, done that," Spieth said. "He's a guy that you know that when you're paired up, he's been there and you don't feel like you have that major championship-winning edge.
"It doesn't matter if we're here or somewhere else. I don't say I've won the Masters and he hasn't.
"Trust me, he's certainly capable of it and he'll win at least one. I think if you around and ask every single player, that wouldn't be a question."
