When Justin Thomas (right) was feeling down after Saturday's third round, it was caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay who helped set him straight. Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images
TULSA, OKLAHOMA | Late Saturday evening as sundown approached, quiet settled over Southern Hills as Justin Thomas stood on the practice tee trying to make peace with a frustrating day.
Thomas was frustrated that the PGA Championship had seemingly slipped away, the brilliance of his wind-whipped 67 on Friday morning wasted by a ragged third-round 74 that left him seven strokes behind leader Mito Pereira with 18 holes remaining.
With his father and coach Mike Thomas and caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay, Thomas needed more than a swing tweak. He needed a release valve.
And he needed to listen to his caddie who had been with Phil Mickelson for five major championship victories.
“I didn't need to bring my frustration and anger home with me. I didn't need to leave the golf course in a negative frame of mind,” Thomas said Sunday night after claiming his second Wanamaker...
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