Justin Thomas privately confessed to Max Homa he wished he were playing the ISCO Championship instead of the Scottish Open. The two-time major winner, preparing for The Open at Royal Birkdale, expressed frustration over his schedule conflicting with the Kentucky-based tournament he cherishes.
What happened?
Thomas and Homa are preparing for The Open Championship differently. Thomas chose the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club to adapt to links golf, while Homa competes in the ISCO Championship after securing his Open spot earlier this week.
Homa revealed Thomas messaged him during the ISCO, joking about the contrasting conditions: "He's in a short sleeve in Scotland while we're dealing with 12,000 degrees here."
Why the ISCO matters to Thomas
The ISCO Championship holds special significance for Thomas, a Kentucky native. He has repeatedly praised the event, calling it "phenomenal" despite recent weather challenges. Homa noted Thomas's strong connection to the tournament: "It's one he'd far rather be playing."
Preparing for The Open
The Scottish Open is a traditional tune-up for The Open, used by past champions to refine their links golf skills. Thomas, ranked among the world's top players, aims to leverage this preparation despite preferring the ISCO's familiar environment.
Homa described the ISCO's community vibe: "Everyone was rallying for everyone today, which is cool."
What comes next?
Thomas will finalize his Open preparations in Scotland before teeing off at Royal Birkdale. Homa, meanwhile, seeks to carry ISCO momentum into his Open debut after a runner-up finish at the John Deere Classic.
Both players face distinct challenges: Thomas adapting to links golf, Homa adjusting to the Open's global spotlight. Their contrasting paths highlight the varied strategies among top golfers ahead of major championships.