“Just put me in the f***ing fairway” – When Justin Thomas got a direct response from Tiger Woods at the 2019 Presidents Cup
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods share a strong bond. However, once the two-time Major winner got a foul-mouthed response from Woods as he asked him for help with a shot.
During the 2019 Presidents Cup, Woods was the captain of Team USA while Thomas was playing on the team. In one of their matches, Thomas was tied with International team players as he approached the 16th hole. It was a big and decisive shot in the final holes.
While taking one shot, Thomas struggled with a tree in front and went to Woods to discuss it. However, in response, he received a foul-mouthed reply.
Thomas spoke about the incident in his interview on the Smylie Show in September 2024. Sharing this incident of the 2019 Presidents Cup, the 31-year-old golfer said, via Mirror:
"I never really ask Tiger anything in terms of layups or whatever it is, and that's what makes him such a great partner. He's just like, 'look, you go play, I'll go play, I'll let you know if I need anything'. I call Tiger over. He's like, 'What? ' I'm like, 'I mean, is there anything, like, this tee shot's not very comfortable for me. Like, do you care if you're further back or..."'.
"I don't care what I have in, just put me in the f------ fairway," Woods replied to Thomas.
Notably, Justin Thomas was not part of the Presidents Cup team in 2024. He was impressive with his game this season but couldn't make it to the team. This year, the USA team comprised Scottie Scheffler, Sahith Theegala, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Russell Henley, Max Homa, Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, Tony Finau and Brian Harman,
When Tiger Woods tried a controversial prank with Justin Thomas
Last year, Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods were involved in a controversy after the 15-time Major winner tried to have a prank with Thomas. In 2023, they both competed at the Genesis Invitational held at Riviera Country Club but during the opening round of the tournament, the five-time Masters winner put a tampon on Thomas' hand after outdriving him on the ninth hole.
Thomas initially took it not knowing what it was, however, upon realizing it, he quickly threw it on the ground.
Tiger Woods was criticized for the act and later apologized in the tournament's second round. He said, via Bleacher Report:
"It was supposed to be all fun and games, and obviously it hasn't turned out that way. If I offended anybody, it was not the case; it was just friends having fun.
"As I said, if I offended anybody in any way, shape or form, I'm sorry. It was not intended to be that way. It was just we play pranks on one another all the time and virally I think this did not come across that way, but between us it was—it's different," he added.
Notably, Justin Thomas is next gearing up to compete in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TGL series. The tech-infused series will start with its first edition in January 2025, and Thomas will be playing for Atlanta Drive GC along with Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Lucas Glover.