MEXICO CITY – Momentum was squarely on Justin Thomas’ side following four consecutive birdies just before the turn on Day 2 at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
But what happened next mildly surprised the fourth-ranked player in the world.
With a 5-wood, Thomas’ 316-yard tee shot at the par-4 first landed 34 feet from the hole, and he charged his eagle attempt into the cup prompting a “wow” response.
WOW!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 21, 2020
6-under on his last 5 holes.@JustinThomas34 is on some kind of roll.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/opiPSBNnI0
Although Thomas’ momentum stalled following the eagle, he finished with a 66 and was tied for third place when he walked off the course, just two shots off the lead.
“I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was going to go 6-8 feet past because it kind of all slopes away,” he said. “I hit a good putt, I just hit it harder than the speed I had envisioned in my head, but that happens sometimes.”
An eagle with authority. pic.twitter.com/CHp8Gqsv7o
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 21, 2020
The round continued Thomas’ stellar play at Club de Golf Chapultepec, where he’s finished tied for fifth (2017), second (’18 when he lost a playoff) and ninth (’19). In total, he’s 45 under par at the event, with 10 of 14 rounds in the 60s.
“I feel like my wedges are a strength of my game, and it’s a lot of wedges. I mean, you have a wedge on pretty much every hole except for a couple holes,” he said. “I feel like I’m driving it well enough where I can be aggressive off the tee and try and take advantage.”