“You have to earn it”- Justin Thomas finds inspiration in PGA Tour rivals Adam Schenk and Eric Cole

Justin Thomas praised PGA Tour golfers Adam Schenk and Eric Cole for their consistent performances in 2023. Thomas believed Schenk and Cole were an inspiration for aspiring golfers.

Cole and Schenk were the only golfers who began the season outside of the top 150 in the FedEx Cup standings, reached the top 50, and participated in the FedEx Cup playoffs—something Thomas was unable to do.

In a recent interview, Justin Thomas spoke about the rising PGA Tour golfers and said (per Mirror.co.uk):

"If you would have put us (Thomas, Cole, and Schenk) side by side at the beginning of the year and said, ‘Who is going to do what?’ ... you know what I’m saying? But that’s the way I think so many people look at it. It’s like, ‘Well, they are going to play in all these events.’ Or you can look at it like Adam Schenk did and say, ‘I’m going to play my way into those events.’ Eric Cole, ‘I’m going to play my way into those events.’

"Golf is a funky game. Doesn’t matter how good of a player, any accomplishments you’ve had. You can have an off year and miss the playoffs just like I did. Everybody has got to work hard and you have to earn it," he added.

Thomas arguably did not enjoy the best year in 2023. He struggled with his game throughout the season, and missed the cut in seven PGA Tour events. He did not qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs either.

Nevertheless, Thomas was the captain's pick for the Ryder Cup, despite his poor play. However, the golf community criticized the decision.

Eric Cole's performance in 2023

Eric Cole had an amazing season in 2023. Despite missing the cut in six tournaments this season, he finished in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup playoffs and competed at the St. Jude and BMW Championships.

Here are the results of all the tournaments Eric Cole played in 2023:

Sony Open in Hawaii: T61
The American Express: T36
Farmers Insurance Open: CUT
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: T15
The Honda Classic: P2
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard: CUT
THE PLAYERS Championship: T27
Valspar Championship: CUT
Valero Texas Open: T39
Zurich Classic of New Orleans: CUT
Mexico Open at Vidanta: T5
Wells Fargo Championship: CUT
AT&T Byron Nelson: T23
PGA Championship: T15
Charles Schwab Challenge: CUT
the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday: T24
RBC Canadian Open: T6
U.S. Open: T39
Travelers Championship: T24
John Deere Classic: T42
Genesis Scottish Open: T60
3M Open: T30
Wyndham Championship: T14
FedEx St. Jude Championship: T31
BMW Championship: T25
Fortinet Championship: 4
Sanderson Farms Championship: T35
Shriners Children's Open: T3
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP: T2
The RSM Classic: T3

Adam Schenk's performance in 2023

Having started the year with a T67 finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii, Schenk enjoyed a successful season in 2023. He had seven Top-10 finishes and also competed in the FedEx Cup playoff.

Here are the results of all the tournaments Adam Schenk played in 2023:

Sony Open in Hawaii: T67
The American Express: CUT
Farmers Insurance Open: T20
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: T37
WM Phoenix Open: T23
The Genesis Invitational: T50
The Honda Classic: T42
Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard: T31
THE PLAYERS Championship: CUT
Valspar Championship: 2
Valero Texas Open: CUT
RBC Heritage: T31
Wells Fargo Championship: CUT
AT&T Byron Nelson: CUT
PGA Championship: CUT
Charles Schwab Challenge: P2
the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday: T7
U.S. Open: CUT
Travelers Championship: CUT
Rocket Mortgage Classic: 7
John Deere Classic: T4
The Open Championship: CUT
Wyndham Championship: T64
FedEx St. Jude Championship: T6
BMW Championship: T34
TOUR Championship: T9
Shriners Children's Open: CUT
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP: T51
The RSM Classic: T19