Justin Thomas returned to the winner's circle Sunday, capturing the RBC Heritage after a nearly three-year drought on the PGA Tour. The victory at Harbour Town Golf Links marked a significant turnaround for the two-time major champion, highlighting improvements in his game and a pivotal equipment change.
While Thomas showcased his classic ball-striking prowess, it was his putting performance that drew considerable attention. He ranked third in strokes gained putting for the week, a dramatic shift from recent seasons where he often struggled on the greens. This improved touch on the putting surfaces played a large role in his first win since the 2022 PGA Championship.
As for the reason for his improved form on the greens, Thomas revealed he consulted with fellow tour professional Xander Schauffele late last year. Thomas sought insight into Schauffele's approach to putting, leading him to rediscover techniques and routines from his own most successful putting years, notably 2017 and 2018.
The shift helped Thomas establish a more consistent "home base" for his putting, moving away from what he described as a vague collection of methods. This renewed confidence with the putter not only helped him make more birdies but also raised his overall performance floor.
Beyond the putter, a gear change from earlier this season proved instrumental in his Epic victory. Thomas switched from his previous TSR3 driver to the Titleist GT2 model. The TSR3, designed for lower spin, sometimes proved unforgiving on off-center hits, leading to wayward tee shots.
Thomas tested both the GT2 and the newer GT3 driver, the replacement for the TSR3. While the GT3 offered a lower-launch, lower-spin profile, Thomas found it lacked height and a needed margin for error.
The GT2 driver provides higher launch and increased ball speed, alongside a higher moment of inertia (MOI) for greater forgiveness across the face. This setup better supports Thomas's aggressive swing, giving him more stability and a preferred high-launching fade shot shape.
The impact on his driving accuracy numbers was notable at the RBC Heritage, rising to 64 percent compared to his 52 percent average last season. His strokes gained off the tee improved significantly, demonstrating the positive influence of the GT2 on his game from the tee box.
Despite the putting resurgence and promising signs with the new driver, challenges with the big stick remain a focus area. Thomas ranks in the bottom half of the tour in several key driving statistics, such as strokes gained off the tee and distance from the edge of the fairway.
At major championships, where the driver is often a prerequisite for contending, consistency off the tee is essential. Players like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, and Scottie Scheffler, recent major winners, trend towards elite performance in this category. For Thomas to compete for another major championship title at venues like Quail Hollow or Oakmont, continued improvement with his driver will be key.