The World No.14 – a position that is sure to rise in the wake of his fourth PGA Tour victory of the season – posted a closing three-under-par 68 to finish on 276, two shots better than a trio of runners-up, Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed and Louis Oosthuizen.

“This means a lot,” said an emotional Thomas. “My grandpa was a PGA of America member. So is my Dad. I’m glad to have a Wanamaker Trophy to share between the three of us.”

Before the satisfaction came the excitement.

Justin Thomas hugs his father, Mike, after finishing his round. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

Early on the back-nine as many as five men were tied for the lead, one of them Thomas. Not long after though, it was the soon-to-be champion who broke clear of the pack and kept his head as the inevitable pressure mounted. A birdie two at the short 13th, where he chipped-in, was soon enough followed by another deuce at the 221-yard penultimate hole. And that – only the fourth birdie of the day on the water-strewn hole – was the clincher, rendering irrelevant the bogey Thomas recorded on the final hole.  

“To make a birdie at 17 was beyond a bonus,” confirmed Thomas, who was warmly greeted by close pals Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler as he left the 18th green. “My aim was to be patient all day. I didn’t do that at the US Open this year and so didn’t have my best stuff. I just needed to be more patient. I felt like I had the game to win and I was hitting the ball so far today with all the adrenaline.”

Thomas salutes the crowd surrounding the 18th green. PHOTO: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

Ah yes, the US Open. At Erin Hills back in June Thomas shot a record third round 63 to catapult himself into contention. But victory was a step too far. A closing 75 dropped him all the way into a disappointing tie for ninth. 

FINAL SCORES

“The thing about Erin Hills is really that, after only five holes, I was out of the tournament,” he said. “I was seven or so back. So it wasn't very realistic for me to have a great chance to win that tournament. The experience helped me though. Any time you can be in the final groups is great. This week felt different. I was comfortable with where my game was and with the prep I had put in. I felt like I was ready. It just was about going out and doing it.

Thomas pitches onto the final green. He would make bogey but it was still enough to claim the win. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

“I have to say the putt I made for bogey on the 1st green was huge too. Starting with a double there would have been pretty terrible. I just absolutely murdered the drive. It was like 350 to the fairway bunker and somehow I reached it. That was the adrenaline and the heat there. But I stayed patient. I knew the scores were not going to be crazy low.” 

Elsewhere, the three Aussies in the 75-man field all golfed their balls with some distinction. 

Jason Day finished with a one under 70 and grabbed a top-10 finish. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

Only a double-bogey on the treacherous 18th – for the second day in succession – prevented former Masters champion Adam Scott from breaking 70. 

2015 PGA champion Jason Day did shoot 70 en route to a T9 finish, a score that included a par-four on the aforementioned 18th – four shots better than he had managed one day previously. 

But pride of Aussie place must go to the bogey-free 67 that hauled Marc Leishman up into a tie for 13th place.