Justin Thomas returns home to Louisville to scout Valhalla ahead of PGA Championship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Two-time PGA champion and Louisville native Justin Thomas returned home to scout Valhalla Golf Club on Sunday and Monday.

WDRB sports anchor Tom Lane walked with Thomas for much of his Monday round at Valhalla. Thomas got two rounds in before heading to Charlotte on Monday night to prepare for the Wells Fargo Championship, his last tune up for the year's second major.

Thomas hit the ball well tee to green, hardly missing a shot as he walked with his dad, Mike, and a few others. He posted pictures from his Sunday round on Instagram, saying the course is "looking great."

You can see pictures from his Monday round above.

Hometown Hero

After leaving Valhalla, Thomas joined several local and state leaders just off Interstate 264 for the official unveiling of his very own Hometown Hero banner. The banner, the latest in a series of public displays for Louisville's native sons and daughters like Muhammad Ali, Jack Harlow and more.

The banner shows Thomas, a Goshen native and graduate of St. Xavier High School, holding the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club. The win was Thomas' second major championship to go along with — as of May 2024 — his 15 other PGA Tour wins.

It's located on the Watterson City Park Towers on Bishop Lane.

After taking the podium himself Monday afternoon, Thomas took nearly a full minute before speaking unable to hold back the emotion.

"The things that I felt today I've never felt in any golf tournament I've won," he said. "It's just an unbelievable honor."

Thomas thanked his parents and one of his former teachers at St. X, who was in attendance with members of the golf team.

"I drove past this building very day going to school," he said. "My time at St. X was unbelievable."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Ryan Ogle, championship director for the upcoming PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, were also in attendance Monday. Greenberg proclaimed May 6 "Justin Thomas Day" in Louisville, and Beshear named Thomas a Kentucky Colonel.

"I'm speechless," he said. "I think my emotion can show it. I just thank the city of Louisville so much for making me feel like this. There's a reason, when I tee off, I'm announced from Louisville, Kentucky."

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