Justin Thomas flirted with disaster before making one of the more miraculous pars of his career at the Zozo Championship.
The two-time major champion looked destined to incur a penalty when his approach shot from the rough flew towards the pond at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Japan.
But after the ball left his club, Thomas could be seen urging it to ‘skip’. And the ball obliged, skimming across the water and out on to the fairway.
‘Just give him the trophy now! Give him the trophy now!’ the announcer said as Thomas let out a smile.
Remarkably, the world No 32 managed to avoid dropping a shot altogether. Thomas made a par after flirting with the pond en route to a bogey-free 65.
Justin Thomas made a miraculous par in the third round of the Zozo Championship in Japan
Thomas’ approach shot skipped off the water before ending up safely in the fairway
The Louisville native now sits second on the leaderboard, two shot off Nicolas Echavarria, heading into Sunday’s final round.
The 31-year-old has won 15 times on the PGA Tour but he is still awaiting his first victory in 2024.
Thomas, who won the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022, has five top-10 finishes this season – but none since June.
Echavarria also shot 65 on Saturday to finish round three on 17-under-par. Thomas is one of eight Americans in the top 12, with Rickie Fowler among the small group on 11-under-par.
The American, a two-time PGA Championship winner, could be seen urging the ball to ‘skip’
