Justin Thomas writes to fellow PGA Tour players, encouraging them to provide greater access, insight

Justin Thomas encourages his fellow PGA Tour players to work with broadcast partners to improve the television product.

Thomas, who sits on the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council subcommittee on tournaments, fans and sponsors along with Max Hom, Adam Schenk and Mackenzie Hughes, emailed the Tour membership on Tuesday. In the memo, first reported by The Athletic and obtained by GolfChannel.com, Thomas offers some thoughts on how he and his peers can “better connect with fans and continue to build on the momentum we’ve created in recent years.”

Among the ideas Thomas included as ways players can give “more access and insight” are pre- and mid-round interviews, wearing microphones during rounds, and communicating equipment and swing changes to broadcasters.

Thomas added that Fan Forward Tour research found that on-track personality is the top-ranked interest driver for fans ages 18-34.

“I know that stepping out of our comfort zones isn’t always easy,” wrote Thomas, who was initially averse to such success, but has recently given interviews midway through Hero World Challenge and The Sentry.

“Believe me, in the past I’ve been the first to say no before things are done when asked. I didn’t care when someone asked for an interview mid-round or suggested we try something new. But I also know how much the fans love those moments – listening to our thought processes, our conversations with our caddies, our reactions to shots and understanding the highs and lows of competing at the highest level.”

As an example, Thomas cited pregame interviews with NFL head coaches. “They go down to the coach, and he gets asked ONE question (one he knows is coming before it’s asked), gives a 5-10 second answer, and I’m always so tuned in that they explain their game plan and lay out their approach,” Thomas wrote. “Imagine that happening on the first tee before the last few groups, or even after the first tee shot coming off the tee.”

The Tour’s broadcast partners began doing walk-and-talk interviews during the tournament at the 2023 Farmers Insurance Open. Home was the first to go, joining CBS’ Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman as he teed off on 13 .the Torrey Pines hole during the third round.

“At the end of the day,” Thomas concluded, “we’re all owners on this tour. So making it bigger and better not only benefits us financially, but benefits our fans and creates the opportunity for us to do bigger things in the future.”