Justin Thomas "playing p***ed off" golf as he takes lead at $20m RBC Heritage

PGA Tour star Justin Thomas admits he is "playing a little p***ed off" at the moment as he attempts to earn automatic qualification into Keegan Bradley's 2025 United States Ryder Cup team this September.

Thomas, 31, made his feelings be known to reporters after opening up a two-shot lead at the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island on Friday. 

This week's tournament marks the fifth of eight Signature Events on the PGA Tour, with a giant $20m prize purse and $3.6m going to the winner.

Thomas also knows some vital Ryder Cup points are once again on the line this week. 

The two-time US PGA champion not only missed out on automatic qualification in the 2024 U.S. Presidents Cup team, but he was also denied a captain's pick by Jim Furyk.

It marked the first time in seven years that Thomas had missed out on either a U.S. Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup team. 

The decision was something of a controversial one in the golf world. 

Thomas certainly believes it was the wrong decision, especially given his impressive record (17-7-4) on U.S. teams from 2017 to 2023.  

But with the Ryder Cup just five months away at Bethpage Black, Thomas is fired up and playing with a chip on his shoulder at the moment. 

Thomas isn't interested in a captain's pick because he intends to guarantee his place on Bradley's team. 

It's one of his main season goals. 

JT is currently ranked ninth in the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup standings as it stands. 

A victory at the RBC Heritage this weekend would edge him closer to his goal. 

Thomas said after the second round: 

"I think I said it kind of in the fall or maybe beginning of the year, but I'm kind of excited about playing a little pissed off that I didn't get picked for the Presidents Cup team. I don't like feel like I deserved to, but internally I always feel like I'm going to be a great addition.

"It's a nice thing for me to get to do, and I just thought I would really like to put myself in a position where I'm not relying on a pick anymore because it's not fun. I can't really complain about getting picked or not getting picked if I just qualify. So that's the goal."

Although Thomas remains winless on the PGA Tour ever since etching his name on the famous Wanamaker Trophy at the US PGA in May 2022, the signs are looking good for the 15-time winner. 

Thomas has notched four top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour in 2025 with two runner-up finishes at The American Express and Valspar Championship, but he finished a fairly lacklustre T36 at The Masters last week. 

But the 2017 FedEx Cup champion dusted himself down and equalled the RBC Heritage course record on Thursday with a stunning 10-under 61, and he then added a 69 on Friday to remain top of the board on 12-under par. 

Thomas currently leads Russell Henley and Si Woo Kim by two shots heading into the weekend at Harbour Town Golf Links. 

England's Tommy Fleetwood is three shots behind as he looks to win a first PGA Tour title, while defending champion Scottie Scheffler is also in the mix just four shots off the pace. 

Scheffler is attempting to become the first player to successfully defend the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2008. 

Keep up to speed with live scores here