After round with Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas’ dad ‘surprised’ by progress – Golf.com

By: Dylan Dethier December 16, 2021

Tiger Woods and his son Charlie played golf with Mike Thomas last week for the first time since Tiger's car crash.

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ORLANDO, Fla. Tiger Woods hasnt yet hit a shot at the 2021 PNC Championship but the hype arrived before he did.

The latest and best-sourced reporting on Woods recovery came straight from the mouth of Mike Thomas. Thats Mike Thomas, Justins father, Justins coach, Woods frequent playing partner and the PNCs defending champion.

Justin and Mike didnt play in Thursdays Pro-Am but arrived at the Ritz-Carlton in the early afternoon for a session with reporters.

Were just here to have a good time and enjoy each others company. And playing good golf is always a bonus, Justin said.

Ive been busy teaching, Mike said, managing expectations. His plan had been to cram a few days in advance, he added, but then his back flared up. So Im cramming on site. On-site cramming.

Pleasantries dispatched, one reporter dived into the inevitable line of Tiger questioning. Justin, who is well-practiced in fending off inquiries on his famous friend, downplayed any update. He hadnt played with Woods, he realized, since this event last year. Instead it was his father who had the intel; hed played with Tiger and Charlie last week. He gave a glowing update.

Its crazy how good hes hitting it and far hes hitting for what hes been through, Mike said. That was Tiger he was talking about, for the record. Well, both, he added for clarification. But Tiger has been through a lot more than Charlie. Its impressive where hes at.

Thats a big deal. Thomas is a PGA Tour coach and not prone to random exaggeration. And while hes grading on a scale, given the scope of Woods injuries, its encouraging to hear such positive news from someone with a firsthand look at his recovery. Justin played it safe by comparison, downplaying any expectations he has for Woods.

I mean, my excitement level is high just for him being out here and being somewhere other than his house and getting to see a lot of familiar faces. And I know spending time with Charlie is a huge deal to him, he added.

Mike, who has turned into a de facto coach for Charlie, had the inside scoop on both members of Team Woods. He likes to play golf. Well go out and play and work on his game a little bit, he said. Even though Charlie hasnt gotten much taller than last year, he said, he hits it very far for his size.

Pressed for details on Tigers recovery, he explained further.

I dont know, I mean, you all know him well enough to know that hes never going to admit to being close to where hed like to be, Mike said. I mean, hes still hes got some speed. Hes got some length. Hits a lot of really, really flush shots. I mean, I was surprised.

The Woodses and the Thomases will play together on Saturday in the PNCs first round, just as they did at this event last year. There was plenty of cross-generational ribbing in that round, and both teams shot 62. Thomas said he expects that to continue though after Team Thomas won last years event, he thinks he has a leg up on Charlie.

I mean, I think hes starting to get old enough that you need to back up your trash talk a little bit better if youre going to be saying it. Wed obviously had a lot of putting contests and fun rounds here and there, but obviously never in competition. But until they get that belt and we dont, I know that we have the bragging rights for the time being, he said.

Big-picture, we wont learn everything about Woods competitive golf future this week. But well get hints: Ball speed, mobility, gait, rotation, mindset. This first hint sounds encouraging. Tiger fans will hope the second hint matches the first.

Dylan Dethier is a senior writer for GOLF Magazine/GOLF.com. The Williamstown, Mass. native joined GOLF in 2017 after two years scuffling on the mini-tours. Dethier is a 2014 graduate of Williams College, where he majored in English, and hes the author of 18 in America, which details the year he spent as an 18-year-old living from his car and playing a round of golf in every state.

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After round with Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas' dad 'surprised' by progress - Golf.com