Justin Thomas makes coaching team changes ahead of Ryder Cup

Justin Thomas has parted ways with putting coach John Graham in an effort to find form before the Ryder Cup.

According to Todd Lewis, speaking on Golf Channel’s Golf Today show, Thomas is still working with his long-time swing coach and Father, but not as much as in the past, with the world No.25 wanting to “own his swing.”

However, following the reports, Mike Thomas told Golf Digest that reports he and his son weren’t working together anymore were “just stupid,” saying that the pair completed a practice session that morning.

Thomas has, however, “parted ways” with John Graham, the man who had been working with the two-time major winner. Thomas is now looking to find the answer to his putting woes by himself.

NEW TODAY: @ToddLewisGC reports adjustments to Justin Thomas' coaching team ahead of the Ryder Cup.

Could these changes help power him to a bounce-back performance at Marco Simone? Let us know what you think! pic.twitter.com/2XyrntwJ7x

— Golf Today (@GCGolfToday) September 5, 2023

Thomas first started working with Graham in 2020.

Although Thomas hasn’t been where he would like to be with his long game this year, it’s been on the greens where he’s particularly struggled.

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This year, the Ryder Cup captain’s pick is ranked 144th in strokes gained putting and is ranked 180th in three putt avoidance, beating only one other player.

It’s a statistic that has encouraged Thomas to make changes to his equipment and to his technique on the greens.

At this year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in June, he began putting with a cross handed grip, while back in May he started to use AimPoint Express to help him read greens.

However, after his disappointing showing at the Open, Thomas moved back to a conventional putting grip.

Justin Thomas still going with the left hand low putting grip. A man desperate for a change in fortunes. pic.twitter.com/ilTcLhLkxR

— Lewis Fraser (@lewisfras98) July 18, 2023

He’s also experimented with a longer putter, using a counterbalanced Scotty Cameron Phantom X 9 38” model at the 3M Open, before going back to his regular gamer at the Wyndham Championship.

In a post to his Instagram account on Tuesday, Thomas was seen putting with a conventional grip and his usual Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 mallet.

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As well as that, Thomas raised eyebrows with a swing drill, which involved two swimming pool noodles on alignment sticks.

He is set to play the Fortinet Championship next week before heading to Rome for the 44th Ryder Cup at Marco Simone.

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor