Justin Thomas first man out of FedEx Cup playoffs

Justin Thomas missed the FedEx Cup playoffs in the most excruciating way possible.

Entering this week’s regular-season finale, the Wyndham Championship, Thomas was No. 79 in the points standings and needed to crack the top 70 to qualify for the playoffs, which begin next week.

By finishing tied for 12th at 11 under at the Wyndham on Sunday, Thomas only improved to 71st in points — the first man out, eight points behind Ben Griffin at No. 70.

Thomas, a former World No. 1 and two-time major champion, shot a final-round 68 that included a dramatic moment at the 18th hole. From in front of the green, Thomas had a long way to the hole for his third shot and pitched his ball toward the pin.

After three hops, the ball bumped off the bottom of the pin and stayed out — inches away from a hole-out birdie that could have changed Thomas’ fortunes. Thomas collapsed to the ground and covered his eyes in disbelief.

“It would have been a lot more incredible if it would have gone in,” Thomas said after the round.

Thomas did not know his fate when he spoke to reporters. He said he would not stick around and watch the conclusion of the tournament because there was nothing more he could do, “unless I dress up and try to start messing some people up.”

“I did my part,” Thomas said. “I played the best I could and I fought as hard as I could and shot the lowest I possibly could. I just have to just hope that somehow it’s good enough.”

Thomas entered the week having missed five cuts in his last seven starts. He had a horrendous showing at the majors this season that included two rounds over 80.

Now, he will miss the playoffs for the first time since his rookie season of 2014. He won the FedEx Cup in 2017.

The second man out behind Thomas is another recognizable name and former World No. 1, Adam Scott. The Australian shot a final-round 63 to tie for seventh at 12 under, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome a No. 81 starting place at the start of the week, boosting him only to No. 72.

Entering this year, Scott and Matt Kuchar were the only two players who had made the FedEx Cup playoffs in every year of their existence. Now Kuchar is the only player who can lay that claim.

“I think I’m actually getting to the point where, you know, I’ve got to put that stuff aside and, you know, not play to keep a streak of playing playoffs going but play to win stuff, not just be there to make the numbers up.”

Lucas Glover, who entered the week No. 112 in the points standings, won the tournament at 20-under 260 to leap up to 49th place and secure his place next week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tenn. Billy Horschel, who co-led the tournament with Glover entering Sunday, had his eyes on a similar prize but faded to a fourth-place finish, which only boosted him to No. 90.

Other notable names who missed the top-70 requirement to make the playoffs included Ireland’s Shane Lowry (No. 78), Joel Dahmen (No. 84) and Gary Woodland (No. 94).

–Field Level Media