Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm have company atop the rankings - Justin Thomas is becoming a Major player in 2020

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  • Even holding a one-shot lead entering the final round, Saturday was a reminder that no advantage is safe at Chapultepec Golf Club.

    Justin Thomas was five shots back on the sixth hole during the third round. Seven birdies later, he was three shots ahead walking on to the 16th green. That same calm persona refusing to allow him to get too excited or too despondent in moments of good or bad.

    Although bogeys on holes 1 and 18 were the only blemishes on his otherwise glittering scorecard, his scatter of birdies saw him close with a six-under 65.

    While momentum was on his side, nothing comes easy on this Mexico City course and Thomas was unable to rediscover the same brilliance on Sunday, dropping down the leaderboard like a stone in water.

    His shot on par-4 10th was the best of the entire round. His long drive nestled against a tree, and the right-handed Kentucky native was forced to go lefty and he punched the ball out 40 yards through the trees.

    He did end up double bogeying the hole, however it was a glorious piece of skill with his club flipped the wrong way and managing to cut it out of the trees.

    Finishing in a tie for sixth on 13-under, five shots behind winner Patrick Reed, will come with its share of disappointment for ‘JT’, especially when leading after round three.

    However, the 26-year-old’s top-10 finish again adds fuel to the debate about him being among the best three in the world this term alongside Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.

    In his nine starts, Thomas has clinched victory at the CJ Cup and the Sentry Tournament of Championship to add to his three top-5s, one top-10 and one top-20. He has risen from sixth to fourth in the world in the process.

    To wind even further back – aside from two missed cuts – he has not finished outside the top-20 in his last 15 starts, stretching back to June 2019.

    If picking a major champions this year, Thomas has done everything to demand faith in securing one of the four coveted trophies.

    The wrist injury which hampered his 2019 season has cleared and he appears to be back to his marquee best again, combining his raw talents with experience and a thirst to win on any given weekend.

    The 2017 PGA Championship winner can drive the ball 318 yards, has swagger, consistency, productive shot selection and plenty of time to shine. He doesn’t turn 27 until the end of April.

    His 12 wins since the start of the 2014-2015 season are level with Dustin Johnson, and he has more Tour titles at a younger age than any other active player.

    To hone in further on his skillset, his sizzling iron play saw him ranked second in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green on the PGA Tour last season.

    Off the tee, he was ranked 17th, and for Strokes Gained: Around the Green, any shot within 30 yards of the edge of the green, he was eighth.

    It’s scary to think he could get better again. However, if there is one area he could improve it is Strokes Gained: Putting, where he ranked 144th over 56 measured rounds last year.

    Although it is still early in the season, he looks to have made strides on his putting, sitting 76th after 20 rounds, and showing precision from range to move to the top of the leaderboard on Saturday.

    It will be interesting to see what levels Thomas can improve now that he is injury free. Nevertheless, based on how he carries himself around the course, he is a composed figure with a quality game, deep motivation and steely confidence.

    With competition at its stellar best on Tour in recent years, he will need to stay consistent and show that continuous thirst for success in order to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

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