Watch: golf star Justin Thomas finishes 18th hole with an epic eagle
When doing anything in life, you always want to end on a high note. There’s just something about ending something on a sour note that can leave a lingering bitter taste.
Case in point — John Elway retired from football after winning back-to-back Super Bowls and his career is fondly remembered. Michael Jordan, on the other hand, could’ve had his career end with his iconic shot over the Utah Jazz’s Bryon Russell in the 1998 NBA Finals. Instead, he stuck around for a few nondescript seasons with the Washington Wizards.
Jordan had the better overall career than Elway, but those lasting images of their respective careers pain the perfect dichotomy of ending on a good note versus a bad one.
Golf superstar Justin Thomas, the current number two-ranked golfer in the world, actually got to experience both of those sensations toward the end of the WGC-Mexico Championship at the Club de Golf Chapultepec in Naucalpan, Mexico.
On the 18th hole of the fourth round, Thomas drilled a ridiculous eagle to move to 16-under-par.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf6tdx9DbyN/
It was enough to impress golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
The eagle has landed for @JustinThomas34! But this young man keeps soaring.
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) March 4, 2018
Had Thomas ended the tournament with a win on that shot, it would’ve been awesome. While the feat was plenty incredible, because of the way golf tournaments work, Thomas’ ecstasy would be fleeting.
Thomas teed off about 40 minutes ahead of longtime golf star Phil Mickelson. Following an agonizing wait to see if his score would hold, Thomas was helpless as Mickelson finished regulation at 16-under after a clutch par.
Mickelson was able to fend off Thomas and win the tournament.
Phil wins 🏆
Thomas' missed putt hands Mickelson the #WGCMexico title. pic.twitter.com/56IwTojbVY
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 4, 2018
For the 47-year old Mickelson, it was his first win in a very long time.
After:
145,756,800 seconds
2,429,280 minutes
40,488 hours
1,687 days47-year-old Phil Mickelson is a winner again! pic.twitter.com/Zf87SZLhlq
— bet365 (@bet365) March 4, 2018
For Thomas, it was undoubtedly an agonizing loss, especially considering the eagle he sunk to finish the 18th hole with the lead. Thomas handled the stinging loss with aplomb, but the debate all but erased what was an otherwise incredible eagle.
With several golf stars at the top of their games, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating run to the Masters.
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