“Didn’t realize how much I missed winning,” Justin Thomas left EMOTIONAL after ending almost 3-year winless drought with victory at RBC Heritage

Justin Thomas clinched his 1st PGA Tour victory in over 3 years following a playoff win against Andrew Novak at the RBC Heritage.

“Didn’t realize how much I missed winning,” Justin Thomas left EMOTIONAL after ending almost 3-year winless drought with victory at RBC Heritage

Justin Thomas (Image via X/@PGATOUR)

In May 2022, Justin Thomas clinched his 2nd major championship by winning the PGA Championship for a second time. After that, he went on a long winless run that saw him plummet down in world rankings. On Sunday, he broke his nearly 3-year winless drought by winning the RBC Heritage in a playoff round.

The former World No.1 had a disappointing 2023 season and missed cuts in several events. He did bounce back in 2024, but still could not get over the finish line. This year he came twice close to ending this winless run before his eventual victory on Sunday.

He fell one shot short of Sepp Straka at the American Express in January. In March, he was leading the Valspar Championship by 3 shots at one moment.

He got bitten by the ‘Snake Pit’ – the closing stretch of Holes 16, 17, and 18 at the Innisbrook Resort. Thomas bogeyed two of the last three holes and once again finished an event one shot behind the eventual winner, Viktor Hovland, in this case.

After making a par on the 18th hole at the Harbour Town, he and Andrew Novak squared off in a playoff. As Novak failed to make a birdie on the first extra hole, Thomas drained a long-range putt to return to the winner’s circle.

While speaking with CBS Sports reporter Amanda Balionis, the former World No.1 was left emotional. In the interview with her, Thomas expressed that he did not realize how much he missed ‘winning‘ golf tournaments. During this interview, he was joined by his wife Jillian and their 5-month-old daughter Molly.

When it’s hard, it’s really, really hard, but I’ve worked my butt off and stayed patient, stayed positive. I’ve got a great wife, great team, and a great daughter. She’s got her eyeballs showing right now, but just take for granted sometimes when you get on those runs, and I just didn’t realize how much I missed winning, and that’s just battling out there today was so much fun.

Justin Thomas said

Michael Phelps shares 3-word reaction towards Justin Thomas’ victory at the RBC Heritage

After some near misses and heartbreaks, Justin Thomas finally got back to winning ways. The American golfer overcame Andrew Novak in the first playoff hole to clinch the RBC Heritage. Following his win, 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps shared a 3-word reaction to it.

Michael Phelps and Justin Thomas
Michael Phelps and Justin Thomas (Image via Imago)

Phelps, the former competitive swimmer, is a huge fan of golf as well. Several times he has participated in some Pro-Am events and showed off his golfing skills.

After Thomas won on Sunday, the 39-year-old took to his Instagram account to share his reaction. He would congratulate him by dropping a 3-word reaction in his Instagram stories.

Let’s go!! Congrats @justinthomas34

Michael Phelps on Instagram
Michael Phelps' reacts to Justin Thomas' win
Michael Phelps reacts to Justin Thomas’ win (Image via Instagram/@m_phelps00)

Phelps, though, was not the only one to drop a 3-word reaction. Brooks Koepka‘s wife, Jena Sims, also dropped a 3-word reaction. She would share a post from Golf Digest on her stories and tag JT’s wife, Jillian, in her Instagram stories.

Pumped for yall!! @jillian_thomas3

Jena Sims on Instagram
Jena Sims reacts to Justin Thomas' win
Jena Sims reacts to Justin Thomas’ win (Image via Instagram/@jenamsims)

Sims was recently seen at the Augusta National Golf Club where she took part in the par 3 contest alongside her husband, Brooks Koepka. The 5-time major champion did not enjoy a great return to the course as he was one of the 5 LIV Golfers who missed the cut.

How much money did Justin Thomas make from winning the RBC Heritage?

After a thrilling Masters Tournament at the Augusta National, it was time for the fifth signature event of the year, the RBC Heritage to take place. Justin Thomas ended up as the winner and took home his first winning pay cheque since May 2022. How much money did he make though?

Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas (Image via Imago)

The RBC Heritage had a prize purse pool of $20 million for this year. So, just like Scottie Scheffler last year, Thomas took home $3.6 million following his win. Andrew Novak, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat in this event, received $2.16 million for his efforts.

Unlike some signature events, the RBC Heritage did not feature a cut. This meant that every golfer in the field took something with them. Joe Highsmith, who finished 72nd in the leaderboard with a score of 7-over par, took home $36,000 from the $20 million purse.