Justin Thomas and Team USA are out for revenge after what Team Europe did to them in 2023.

Remember that one time when JT shotgunned a beer at the Ryder Cup in 2021? That feels like ancient history.

Team Europe fans still haven’t forgiven Thomas for thisCredit: Getty

His antics were central to USA’s success in 2021Credit: Getty

Rewind four years ago, Thomas was on top of the world, shotgunning cans of beer on the first tee of Whistling Straits, with 16 points still left to play for.

The crowd favorite had been a key reason why Europe found themselves 9-3 down halfway through the tournament and heading towards a historic thrashing in Wisconsin.

Thomas was untouchable.

Now as the 45th Ryder Cup is set to take place next month, Team USA is looking to rebound after Team Europe returned the favor in 2023 with a massive win.

Team USA is led by captain Keegan Bradley and the six automatic qualifiers—Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau—followed by Bradley’s six captain’s picks, consisting of Thomas, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, and Cameron Young.

Thomas is making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance, the most among the 12 team members.

The 32-year-old holds a 7-4-2 record, including an unbeaten 3-0-0 in singles. The two-time PGA Champion earned his 16th PGA TOUR win in April with a birdie on the first playoff hole at the RBC Heritage.

This season, Thomas also recorded eight top-10 finishes—including three runner-ups. In other words, he has been hot.

There was little doubt Bradley would select Thomas this time, unlike two years ago when his spot was uncertain.

In 2023, during the buildup to the 44th Ryder Cup, it was unclear if Thomas would be a member of Team USA.

Thomas won the RBC Heritage this seasonCredit: Getty

With less than two months until the biennial event, Thomas needed a miracle to qualify automatically after a dramatic fall from grace.

The then 30-year-old, who won the PGA Championship a year prior in 2022, was 14th in the standings – and looked increasingly likely to rely on one of Zach Johnson’s six captain’s picks.

However, there were questions over whether Thomas even deserved to go.

The American had missed the cut in five of his last seven starts worldwide, while dropping to 79th in the FedEx Cup, with only one event remaining to qualify for the play-offs.

His performances at the biggest events had been particularly worrisome: Thomas finished 65th in his title defense at the PGA Championship and missed the cut at the remaining three majors, shooting two rounds in the 80s along the way.

Johnson ended up using one of his captain’s picks on Thomas.

Thomas was considered a lock for the teamCredit: Getty

Team USA eventually fell to Team Europe by a score of 161⁄2–111⁄2.

There were no shotgunning beers this time around.

Team USA will be looking to take the Ryder Cup back come September, and only then will they even think about cracking open a few cold ones.

Bradley is confident in his six picks.

“I am immensely proud to select these six players for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Team,” Bradley said.

“All six are incredibly talented and deserving of a spot on our team. Together with the six qualifiers, our team features a strong blend of Ryder Cup veterans and rookies, each bringing unique strengths and experience that will be hugely beneficial in our quest to reclaim the Cup next month at Bethpage Black.”