Team golf returns to the PGA Tour this week, and Justin Thomas and Bud Cauley are taking advantage of the opportunity by using their friendship to try and win a tournament.
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans switched to a team format last year in an attempt to spruce up the field and get more elite players involved. It worked, and Thomas and Cauley are back after finishing t-5 last season.
"We're going to stick with a lot of the same stuff as far as teeing off on what holes, alternate shot days, and kind of what balls to use when and stuff like that," Cauley said Wednesday during his joint press conference with Thomas. "Obviously had some pretty good success last year. Just kind of do the same thing and hopefully to shoot a couple shots better."
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When playing golf with a partner, bad shots affect two guys out there trying to make money and win a tournament. Despite that, Thomas said he won't get or give any apologies if a bad shot is hit.
"I think we both know we're not going to get a sorry from one another," Thomas said. "Obviously I know he's not going to try to put me in a bad spot. I don't think he will too often, so I'm not that worried about it.
"If I hit one where I'm not aiming I'll just kind of give him a shrug and let him do his things from the trees."
Thomas got his first taste of international team play last fall when he helped the U.S. win the Presidents Cup. He said chemistry was important there, and just as important this week.
"(Chemistry's) very important," Thomas said. "I think you see it every year in Presidents Cups and Ryder Cups or any team event, guys that have successful partnerships. You look at guys like P. Reed and Jordan. They just seem to mesh well when they're out there and playing.
"Obviously Bud and I have never played a team match play event, but last year playing together — we've played a lot of golf together, spent a lot of time together, shot a lot of games of pool together.
"Unfortunately this isn't a pool tournament. Might like our chances more. No, obviously we want to play well. We're going to have a good time this week."