Tiger Woods has been a role model to many golfers (Image: Getty Images)
Justin Thomas has told the golf world that he has seen a new side to in recent weeks. Thomas and his wife Jillian recently welcomed their first child, a daughter named Molly Grace, who was born on November 18, 2024.
Despite the arrival of his baby girl, Thomas still had an invitation to play with Woods at the ‘Hero World Challenge’ PGA Tour event in the Bahamas. The two golfers, who are also neighbours in Jupiter, Florida, have developed a close bond, with Woods taking on a supportive role since the birth of Thomas’ daughter.
Woods, a 15-time major winner and father of two himself, has been a source of guidance for Thomas. After-all, few know how to balance their fatherly and golf duties better than Woods.
Speaking about Woods’ support, Thomas said: “He’s been unbelievable. I mean, yeah. I’ve seen a new side of him. I mean, it’s just been really cool.
“He’s always checking in wanting to see how I’m doing, how Jill’s doing, how Molly’s doing. He knew when Jill’s surgery was and he called the night before asking how everybody’s doing.
“I hung up and I just looked at Jill and she said, ‘I bet you didn’t think that was going to happen when you were growing up’. I’m like, ‘No, I didn’t’.”
Thomas has been able to lean on Woods’ experience as a world class golfer and a father of two. Thomas added: “He loves his kids so much and he knows how special family is. He just knows even still being a competitor, like just the love you have for your children is so different.
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas have been close friends (Image: Getty Images)
“You don’t necessarily have to lose your competitive drive, and if anything it could get even more. It’s just about separating the two, but also just enjoying it and everything.”
When asked if there has been any advice from Woods that sticks with him, he said: “I think he’s just, you know, he’s been great in terms of – he’s like ‘No, you go spend time with your family, you do this’. When I just want to talk to him, he’s like ‘No, take all this in’, the special moments or whatever. So he’s been really, really cool during all of this.”
In the golfing realm, Thomas has so far delivered an impressive performance at the Hero Challenge, notching up a first-round 66 followed by a solid 67 in the second round, positioning him competitively alongside Scottie Scheffler, Akshay Bhatia, and Keegan Bradley.