Sixteen-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas and fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods share a friendship that goes beyond competition. 

Woods has often referred to Thomas as “the younger brother I never had,” while Thomas has spoken about how the relationship developed through time spent together off the course and around the game.

Speaking on The Smylie Show on March 4, Thomas reflected on building a friendship with Woods, who turned professional in 1996, 17 years before Thomas joined the professional ranks in 2013.

"You know me, like I sometimes it’s like a flaw of mine is I feel like I act like the child that I am, or sarcastic, like no matter who it is.” Thomas added that his tendency to stay sarcastic and unfiltered around people, even someone like Woods, may have actually helped their friendship grow.

“And so I think he probably liked that. I mean, I obviously there’s a lot of things about him both then and now that I’m going to stop and listen or idolize, if you will, but like if he says something dumb, like I’m going to say it just like I would to you.”

Thomas then went on to explain how the friendship first began, recalling that his early interactions with Woods happened through a mutual friend.

Justin Thomas Recalls His First Meetings With Tiger Woods

During the podcast, the 2022 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas recalled that his first meeting with Woods happened through mutual friend Rickie Fowler, who invited him to join one of their dinners. He said:

“Rick was closer with him, and he would go to dinner with him every so often, and he just asked if I could come one time. We went to dinner a couple of times, and I was like, ‘Hey, get my number from Rick. We’ll go play or do whatever.’”

Their connection grew further because they live near each other in Jupiter, Florida. Being neighbors meant they could meet outside tournaments, play practice rounds, watch sports, and spend time together away from competition. 

As they spent more time together in Jupiter, the relationship also grew beyond the two players and gradually involved their families as well.

Tiger Woods spoke about this dynamic during a 2021 interview, explaining how the connection now includes his son Charlie.

“We have become so close that I think Charlie's like Justin's little brother he never had, and Justin has become the little brother I never had.”

Over time, the bond has also included family moments away from tournaments. Justin Thomas’ father, Mike Thomas, has worked with Charlie Woods on his golf swing during practice sessions.

What do you think about the unique friendship between Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu