Justin Thomas to play in next PGA Tour event | What does it mean for Ryder Cup?!

Justin Thomas has confirmed his participation in the PGA Tour's Fortinet Championship, which falls two weeks before the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome.

The update on Thomas' playing schedule was confirmed by PGA Tour SiriusXM's Jason Sobel on Twitter on Tuesday.

Justin Thomas has committed to the Fortinet Championship, being played Sept. 14-17. That's two weeks after Ryder Cup captain's picks and two weeks before the Ryder Cup. Maybe he just wants to get in some offseason reps. Or maybe we can connect the dots.

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) August 22, 2023

Thomas failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career this season after a torrid run of form that saw him miss six of his last 12 cuts on the PGA Tour.

In the four majors, Thomas missed the cut in three of them and finished T65 in his title defence at the US PGA. 

As a result of his worst season yet on the PGA Tour, Thomas missed out on the six automatic spots in the US Ryder Cup team and he is now sweating on receiving one of Zach Johnson's six captain's picks.

These picks will be revealed after the Tour Championship this week. 

That concludes the race for the FedEx Cup.

Some still believe Thomas will be picked, while others think he's not done enough. 

But wherever you stand on the subject right now, you'll probably be even more confused by the latest update on Thomas. 

Honestly lost for words Zach Johnson has ghosted Bryson DeChambeau. Totally unacceptable as US Ryder Cup captain. Just produced one of the most incredible performances seen all season with a 58, and even threw in a T4 at US PGA. Not even a call



https://t.co/3CvpaWDZRl

— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) August 18, 2023

The former World No.1 and two-time major champion has now confirmed his participation in the Fortinet Championship on the PGA Tour from September 14 to 17.

Thomas, a 15-time PGA Tour winner, has not played in this tournament since the 2019/20 season when it was known as the Safeway Open. He finished T4 that week. 

This year's tournament comes two weeks after Johnson makes his six captain's picks. 

It also comes two weeks before the Ryder Cup in Italy. 

The USA will attempt to win their first Ryder Cup away from home in 30 years when they head to Rome. 

Unlike previous years where the Fortinet Championship has kick-started the new PGA Tour season, things are much different this year moving into next as the event will not start a brand new season on the circuit. 

The Fortinet Championship marks the start of a seven-tournament Fall Series on the PGA Tour where players will battle it out to earn their cards for 2024. 

So as of 2024, the PGA Tour reverts to a calendar-year schedule like the old days. 

You can learn more about the PGA Tour's Fall Series, and the list of changes that have been made, here. 

Will Thomas make the US Ryder Cup?

In JT's last start on the PGA Tour at the Wyndham Championship, JT finished T12.

That marked his best finish since a T9 at the Travelers Championship in June. 

As it stands, Thomas looks on from the 26th rung of the world ladder. 

In the US Ryder Cup standings, he eventually finished 15th. 

So what does JT's participation in the Fortinet Championship really mean?

Has Thomas already been informed by Johnson that he's boarding a plane to Rome at the end of next month, and he's getting some extra competitive reps in just in time? 

Or he has already been given the cold shoulder by Johnson, and now decided to just concentrate on PGA Tour life. 

Then again, perhaps his entry means zilch. 

Either way, the news has certainly divided opinion with golf fans on Twitter.

Will JT be on the plane, or sat on the couch? 

Has Thomas done enough to earn a captain's pick in the US Ryder Cup team? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.