Justin Thomas in tears after clinching first PGA Tour win in 1064 (!) days

Justin Thomas was reduced to tears as he clinched his first PGA Tour victory in nearly three years at the 2025 RBC Heritage after overcoming Andrew Novak in a playoff. 

Thomas, who celebrated his 31st birthday earlier in the month, put in a flawless final round performance at Harbour Town Golf Links on Sunday. 

The American notched three birdies to reach 17-under par. 

Novak, who was chasing his first Tour win, had a birdie putt of his own on the 72nd hole to clinch the signature event but missed left. 

Thomas then prevailed on the first playoff hole, sinking a 20-foot putt for birdie at the 18th after Novak's effort failed to reach the hole.

"Winning is hard, it's really hard but I've worked my butt off and stayed patient and positive," a red-eyed Thomas said in the immediate aftermath of victory.

"I didn't realise how much I missed winning and battling out there today was so much fun."

It is his first victory since the 2022 US PGA Championship at Southern Hills. 

In that tournament, he staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a seven-shot deficit in the final round to defeat Will Zalatoris in a playoff.

Thomas has struggled somewhat with his game since and even split from his longtime caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay. 

He was regarded as fortunate to have been selected for the 2023 Ryder Cup after missing the playoffs for the first time in his career. 

So far this season, Thomas has been much improved.

Before the RBC Heritage, he had recorded four top-10 finishes in 2025.

Thomas made the cut at last week's Masters but finished 36th. 

He is now a 16-time PGA Tour winner.

Elsewhere, England's Tommy Fleetwood was in contention after 54 holes but an error-strewn 70 saw him finish in solo seventh. 

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler began the week with a 7-under 64 but could only add rounds of 70, 78 and 70 to finish inside the top-10. 

Daniel Berger has also given his Ryder Cup credentials a boost by continuing his good form.

Berger, who finished in a tie for third, has now finished in the top 20 in six PGA Tour events in 2025. 

He was sidelined for 19 months due to a debilitating back injury but is getting closer to his best.

"When I start to get everything together and all the pieces come together, that's when I'll be holding a trophy at the end of the week," Berger said.