Fresh off his first PLAYERS Championship title, Justin Thomas showed up at PGA National on Monday to take part in Jack Nicklaus‘ charity event, ahead of the Honda Classic.
Nicklaus thanked and congratulated Thomas on social media.
Jack wrote, “Greatly appreciate the PGA Tour players giving their time today for The Jake, the largest annual fundraiser for Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
“Especially Justin Thomas, who showed up at The Bear’s Club hours after winning The PLAYERS Championship.
“I’m excited, proud to see Justin back in the winner’s circle!”
Greatly appreciate the @PGATOUR players giving their time today for The Jake, the largest annual fundraiser for @NCHCF. Especially @JustinThomas34, who showed up at The Bear’s Club hours after winning @THEPLAYERSChamp. I'm excited, proud to see Justin back in the winner’s circle! pic.twitter.com/KAkLB7Ah7g
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) March 15, 2021
In 1974, Nicklaus won the inaugural Tournament Players Championship.
Nicklaus joked afterwards that he “won in case it became a major.”
And nearly 50 years later – or 47 to be exact, Thomas won the same PLAYERS title. Although JT’s bank was a bit larger as he scored $2.7 million, or $2.65 mil more than Jack (who won $50k).
With the victory on Sunday, Thomas also joined Jack, Tiger Woods, and Johnny Miller as the only four players in Tour history to record 14 wins before the age of 28.
The two golf stars are also former winners of The Honda Classic. Jack won two trophies (1977, 1978) when it was titled the Jackie Gleason, while Thomas won his Honda title in 2018 in a playoff over Luke List.
World No. 2 Thomas, who will not tee it up this week, will play next in the WGC Match Play event in Texas.
