Justin Thomas is no longer one of the youngest players on the PGA Tour. At 31, he is among the veterans with multiple Ryder Cup and President Cup appearances.
However, that does not mean he is out of the loop. The former Alabama golfer understands the importance of social media.
This week at the Tour Championship, the Creator Classic will be on Wednesday evening. Sixteen golf influencers and YouTube content creators will play in a nine-hole stroke-play event.
Golf is becoming increasingly popular. For the sport to continue to grow, the younger demographic must be interested, and implementing these creators helps with that.
“It’s very cool. It’s obviously very different. That’s the day and age we’re in right now,” Thomas said. “At the end of the day, if it gets more kids and people interested in golf, that’s what’s most important.”
Thomas is probably one of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour. He is a fan favorite. The 15-time PGA Tour winner acknowledged that he did not know the field very well, but as long as the fans do, that is what matters.
“There’s a handful of influencers out there that people know probably way better than me,” he said. “And that’s not right or wrong, but that’s the power of it.”
The two-time PGA Championship winner uses social media and is one of the more active guys on the Tour. When Thomas knew he was in the Tour Championship field, he posted a hilarious meme about himself.
He credited the 16 creators for choosing to compete in the Creator Classic, taking time out of their schedules and doing something right for golf.
“Their time is valuable, like ours. For them to take the time on a big week like this, play a course, and have the opportunity to create a little bit more buzz, that’s great. It gives kids a different avenue to want to be involved in golf. I think that’s a good thing, regardless if it’s professional or influencer.”
Thomas’s acknowledgment that being an influencer is still a great way to get into the sport is massive. The PGA Tour and LPGA make up a tiny percentage of the golf population, so it only improves the sport if they can find another way to get involved.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.
