The Players
Players 2025: Justin Thomas would do 'really weird things' for a Bud Cauley win at Sawgrass
Rob Carr
PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Bud Cauley's story is just about the easiest to root for on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass. Nobody is rooting harder for him than a guy who is also in the field at this Players Championship—Justin Thomas.
Of course, Thomas' week is already complete, his Sunday 73 placing him in a tie for 35th before thunderstorms halted final-round play. Chances are Thomas is already on a couch waiting to watch the finish like the rest of us. Or on a plane. Or in a car. Take your pick.
If and when play does resume, you can bet Thomas' behind will be on the edge of whatever seat he's chosen. Thomas and Cauley, two former members of the Alabama Crimson Tide golf team, are best buds. Thomas was in Cauley's wedding party, and the two were former roommates. Not in college—in Jupiter, Fla. Cauley had already turned professional before Thomas arrived in Tuscaloosa, though they did meet each other on one of Thomas' campus visits. It was until after college that they re-connected.
Speaking before he left TPC Sawgrass on Sunday, Thomas perfectly summed up his feelings on how badly he wanted to see Cauley pull this one out.
"I'd do some really, really weird things for Bud to win today," Thomas said.
Ummm ... what kind of weird things? Better yet, let's not.
"I probably want it too bad," Thomas added. "I was telling Jill [Thomas' wife] last night, I was like a nervous parent. I just want him to play well so bad because I know how bad he wants it. And it's a huge stage. I mean, it's a big, big moment. So, you know, there's a lot of golf left."
Seven-and-a-half holes, to be exact, as we continue to wait for play to resume. Cauley's ball is currently sitting in the 11th fairway, 67 yards from the hole, where he'll be playing his third shot if they return to the course on Sunday. At nine under for the week, he's three off the lead of Rory McIlroy, who is playing in the group ahead.
In other words, Cauley has a tall task in front of him. But the good news is that a win is not the end all be all for Cauley, who is on one of the last few of his Major Medical Extension starts from the injuries he suffered due to a car accident in 2018. All Cauley needs is a T-18 or better to keep his PGA Tour card. He's tied for sixth as of Sunday afternoon. A win, of course, would be sweet, and if it happens, we're going to need to find out what sort of voodoo magic JT pulled to get his boy over the line.