‘He isn’t playing any good’: Tiger Woods’ ex-coach pans Justin Thomas Ryder Cup captain’s pick

In a world where golf enthusiasts eagerly await the Ryder Cup, one voice has recently stirred the pot within the golf community. Hank Haney, a renowned golf instructor and former coach to the legendary Tiger Woods, is no stranger to expressing his candid opinions. Whether through his social media channels or his own golf podcast, Haney has consistently shared his thoughts, even when they spark controversy. However, this time,

his commentary revolves around a hotly debated topic in the golf world: the selection of Justin Thomas as a captain’s pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Captain Zach Johnson unveiled his picks, which included Thomas, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, and Sam Burns. Haney promptly took to social media to voice his perspective, stating, “It didn’t matter who Zach Johnson picked; the USA team will be heavily favored, but those picks confirm it’s the Boys Club.” Haney’s tweet implied that the U.S. team prioritized personal relationships and camaraderie over on-course performance in their selections.

The elephant in the room, though not explicitly mentioned by Haney, is Justin Thomas. While the two-time major champion has represented the U.S. in the last two Ryder Cups, his performance this season left much to be desired. With no victories, just three top-10 finishes, and a 71st place finish in the FedEx Cup standings, Thomas plummeted to 15th place in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings. Surprisingly, he was chosen for the team over players ranked higher, such as Denny McCarthy, Keegan Bradley, and Cameron Young.

Haney elucidated his reasoning in a recent episode of the “Hank Haney Podcast” released before the captain’s picks were announced. He acknowledged Thomas’s impressive resume but contended that personal friendships, especially with fellow team members like Spieth and Fowler, played a pivotal role in his selection. Haney’s assertion was clear: Thomas, despite his past achievements, had not performed well on the golf course, a fact that appeared to be overlooked due to his close personal relationships.

The omission of Cameron Young, a player ranked in the top 10 of the U.S. team standings, was particularly conspicuous. Young outperformed not only Thomas but also Morikawa, Fowler, and Burns. Captain Zach Johnson acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Young out, emphasizing his exceptional talent and character. With the Ryder Cup set to commence on September 29 at Marco Simone in Rome, Italy, the debate surrounding Justin Thomas’s inclusion continues to add intrigue to an already highly anticipated event.