Justin Thomas distances himself from coach

• golf

Member of Team USA which will face Europe during the next Ryder Cup in Italy (September 29 – October 1), Justin Thomas has distanced himself from his father Mike, his lifelong coach, and his putting coach. Worrying for one of Zach Johnson's last choices.

Justin Thomas, statements

Former world number one, Justin Thomas is looking to rediscover his feelings. Unable to qualify for the FedEx Cup final for the first time in his career, the two-time major winner is this week at the Fortinet Championship, a FedEx Cup Fall event.

Questioned by the American media, Thomas admitted wanting to take more responsibility by distancing himself from his longtime coach, Mike Thomas, his father. His putting coach John Graham is also paying the price for his new strategy.

John Graham will no longer be Justin Thomas' putting coach after three years of collaboration. “We had gotten to a point where everything was good mechanically and all the technical aspects of putting. I know that there are many competent people, including John, who will be there to help me if necessary.

But I hope I don’t need it”. His father Mike Thomas, who taught him to play golf, will also have to take some distance. “He can come as much as he wants as a father. But there are weeks, when everything is going well, when I don't need a coach to hit balls or make putts.

I need to reclaim my game and take more responsibility. When things were bad, I turned to my coaches instead of trying to find solutions myself. Called by Zach Johnson to complete the American Ryder Cup team despite his disappointing season, Thomas will have to very quickly find solutions to improve his game... all alone!