Q. What was your mentality going out there today knowing what was on the line, and how proud are you of how well you played today?
JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, I put myself in a tough spot, but I just had to play as well as I can and make as many birdies as I could. That's the unfortunate part about being not only that far back but that small of a field is it's hard to pass a lot of people. But I played really well today. I just have gotten literally nothing out of any rounds this week, really for two weeks now.
My destiny is probably a lot more in the hands of unfortunately other people more than my own, unless I shot 10- or 11-under today. I feel like I somewhat did my part, now hopefully it pans out.
Q. How frustrating have the last couple of weeks been?
JUSTIN THOMAS: Yeah, it's a bummer because we all know how much the Playoffs hold. You have to play well. I feel like I've played plenty solid enough all season to be in Atlanta, but I haven't played well in the playoff events, and that's when you have to.
Playing in a place last week I love and couldn't get anything going and really just had a terrible start this week and really put myself behind the 8-ball. It's a bummer, but I just really, really hope I get a chance in Atlanta because anything can happen.
Q. Were you paying much attention to the board and what you were doing and where you were?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I was trying not to. Like I said, I had to play as well as I could and make as many birdies as possible and shoot as low as I could. Honestly, my main priorities today were just really trying to beat Christiaan and Aaron. I felt like if I tied or beat Christiaan, I would have a great chance, or it would definitely help. I think he's birdied three or four of the last handful of holes. That unfortunately doesn't look like it's going to happen.
Yeah, like I said, it's very much not in my control anymore.
Q. What's the plan for you the rest of the day?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I'm just going home. Going to go to Jupiter. There's no need for me to sit here and stress this out all afternoon. It sucks, but it's the position I put myself in. I'm happily just going to go home and get a couple nights at home and then hopefully head to Atlanta on Tuesday.
Q. Did this round feel like the Wyndham last year?
JUSTIN THOMAS: No, definitely not. I mean, it's just weird. The Playoffs are fun like that because I felt some things on those last couple holes that feel similar to trying to win a golf tournament, just when you know if you don't advance to the next stage, you don't have a chance. That's all I want.
I understand that if I do get into Atlanta I'm going to be beyond a long shot, but in my eyes I have a chance, and that's all I want.
It is, it's a lot of pressure, but you've got to play well at the right time, and that's what the Playoffs are about.
Q. If you were to get into Atlanta, do you feel like you've done enough to be on the Presidents Cup team?
JUSTIN THOMAS: I don't know. I would say you have arguments both ways. At least I feel like I played well in some big tournaments this year. I just did it earlier in the season, I would say more so than later. I would say a lot of that has to do with a little bit of recency bias versus the entire season. I know I'm playing well enough, but that's up to Jim and the rest of the captains and the guys on the team.
But like I said, my hope is that I get to Atlanta and I prove that I belong.
Q. Playing around Max, with Max, he had a good round today. He's obviously been struggling the last couple months. How was it to see a friend playing well?
JUSTIN THOMAS: It wasn't really that great. I wish he would have shot 4-under instead of 5-under. It would have helped me a lot. I told him, I said when he made that putt on 17, I had some kind words for him as we were walking off. But yeah, Max and I have always been close, but we've somehow become closer, and I think we're kind of -- we call each other kind of "accountabilibuddies." We feel like we say stuff to each other that maybe other guys wouldn't say because we're competitors and we're trying to beat each other, but we're very similar and we both want what's best for each other. It's fun together playing on a Sunday, just not the second group off.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports