Justin Thomas Lined Up for Absurd Bank Shot Off Fence, and Golf Fans Had Jokes
Justin Thomas found himself in an interesting predicament Thursday during the first round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Thomas’s tee shot on the par-4 2nd hole ended up cutting way left of the fairway and landed a few inches away from a fence, right next to a cable on the ground.
He called a rules official over to talk about his next shot but was not granted relief, as under the rules players are not allowed free relief from objects that define or mark the course boundary. He was able to remove an adjacent power cable and rope, but not permitted to move his ball away from the fence.
Instead of taking a penalty, Thomas attempted to bank his next shot off the fence and ricochet it into some playable rough. Here’s how it went:
Remarkably, Thomas plopped his third shot on the green about eight feet from the hole, but missed the putt and settled for a bogey.
Still, an incredible save. Golf fans enjoyed the moment:
The beautiful game
— Matt Nelson (@MNelson_ISU) February 15, 2024
one of us
— Propellor Sports Company (@PlayPropellor) February 15, 2024
We love a good ‘crime scene.’
— Playing Through (@_PlayingThrough) February 15, 2024
But surely Justin Thomas did not like where his drive ended up on 2: pic.twitter.com/2fE8s2cDM0
I actually thought that was a snake for a second ????????
— :) (@LRH388) February 15, 2024
Foot wedge my guy!
— Corey Trevor (@noworrymurray) February 15, 2024
One of us!!! pic.twitter.com/LI0ldgSqqc
— JT (@JayTeeSea86) February 15, 2024
Thomas recovered with a birdie on the 3rd hole but registered three bogeys over the next six holes to head to the 10th tee box at 3 over par.