Justin Thomas gets nostalgic as he misses the PNC Championship: "Have had some great times"

US golfer Justin Thomas, a frequent participant in the PNC Championship, decided to skip the event this year to rest and spend time with his newborn child.

He welcomed with his newborn daughter, Molly Grace Thomas, with his wife Jillian in November. His next competitive appearance is scheduled for The Sentry in Hawaii in early January. The 31-year-old has opted to prioritize family time instead of competing at the PNC Championship, as he typically does.

However, that doesn't mean, he is not missing the action. He took to social media to express his feelings about missing the Championship and reminisced about the cherished memories he shared there, playing alongside his father, Mike Thomas.

"Hate to be missing PNC Championship this year. Felt this year was best to be home with my family getting rested before Christmas and Maui. Have had some great times and memories with my pops at that event the last few years. Excited to watch!!"

Having played together for years, Team Thomas had grown close to fellow regular participants Tiger Woods and his son, Charlie. In fact, when they won the PNC Championship title in 2020, Justin and Mike Thomas wore the belts to the Woods' Christmas dinner.

Woods talked affectionately about the bond they shared in 2021 (via Golf Monthly)

"We have become so close that I think Charlie’s like Justin’s little brother he never had, and Justin has become the little brother I never had,"

Justin Thomas was last seen at The Hero World Challenge earlier this month. He placed third with a score of 18-under.

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Exploring Justin Thomas' appearances at the PNC Championships

Justin Thomas and Mike Thomas at the 2023 PNC Championship (Source: Imagn)

Justin Thomas has been participating with his father, Mike Thomas, in the PNC Championship since the past few years. The two debuted in 2020 and went on to win the title in their rookie year itself.

The duo scored 25-under to win over Vijay Singh and Qass Singh who placed second with 24-under. However, Team Thomas hasn't been able to emulate a similar performance since then.

Mike Thomas is a golfer himself, having been the head professional at the Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Kentucky since 1990. He has naturally had a significant influence on Thomas' career. Fans have loved seeing the father-son duo teeing off at the PNC Champion in the past few years.

Here's a look at Team Thomas' history at the exhibition event:

1. 2020: winners (-25)
2. 2021: T3 (-24)
3. 2022: T2 (-24)
4. 2023: T13 (-14)