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Justin Thomas latest Kentuckian to cash in on PGA Tour

October 28, 2016 FieldsColumn

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Justin Thomas (Getty)

Justin Thomas (Getty Images)

BY MIKE FIELDS (Oct. 28. 2016)

Justin Thomas won the CIMB Classic in Malaysia last week, successfully defending his title in Kuala Lumpur.

Thomas is showing lots of early promise on the PGA Tour. When the Louisvillian won the CIMB Classic last year he was only 22 — the youngest Kentuckian ever to win on tour. J.B. Holmes was 23 when he won for the first time.

Thomas is the seventh former KHSAA state champ to win on the PGA Tour, following in the footsteps of Gay Brewer, Frank Beard, Bobby Nichols, Russ Cochran, Kenny Perry and Holmes.

Here’s how Kentuckians have fared on the PGA Tour over the years, including how old they were when they won for the first time:

  • Kenny Perry (Lone Oak, WKU) was 30 when he got the first of his 14 victories on the PGA Tour. He has $39 million in career earnings, including the Champions Tour.
  • Bobby NIchols (St. Xavier, Texas A&M) was 25 when he got the first of his 12 victories on the PGA Tour, including the 1964 PGA Championship. He had $2.9 million in career earnings, including the Champions Tour.
  • Frank Beard (St. Xavier, Florida) was 24 when he got the first of his 11 victories on the PGA Tour. He had $1.8 million in career earnings, including the Champions Tour.
  • Gay Brewer (Lafayette, UK) was 29 when he got the first of his 10 victories on the PGA Tour, including the 1967 Masters. He had $2.7 million in career earnings, including the Champions Tour.
  • J.B. Holmes (Taylor County, UK) was 23 when he won the first of his four PGA Tour titles. He has $20 million in career earnings.
  • Steve Flesch (Covington Catholic, UK) was 35 when he got the first of his four victories on the PGA Tour. He has $18 million in career earnings.
  • Jodie Mudd (Butler, Georgia Southern) was 28 when he got the first of his four victories on the PGA Tour. He has $2.8 million in career earnings.
  • Justin Thomas (St. Xavier, Alabama) was 22 when he got the first of his two victories on the PGA Tour. He has $8 million in career earnings.
  • Ted Schulz (Ballard, Louisville) was 29 when he got the first of his two victories on the PGA Tour. He has $2.7 million in career earnings.
  • Russ Cochran (Paducah St. Mary, UK) was 33 when he got his only victory on the PGA Tour. He has $13.5 million in career earnings, including the Champions tour.
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