Paul Azinger sends ‘unconfident’ Justin Thomas warning, prior to the Ryder Cup

Prior to the Ryder Cup, Paul Azinger warns Justin Thomas not to be “unconfident.”.

Paul Azinger, a former US captain, told current US captain Justin Thomas that he lacks “confidence” before the 2023 Ryder Cup began in Rome on Friday.

The Ryder Cup’s European team will put “the biggest bullseye on Justin Thomas’ back.”.

Though the young Swedish superstar Ludwig Aberg has never even competed in a Major, former US captain Paul Azinger believes Luke Donald’s selection of him as Europe’s captain is “very risky.”.

Despite the two-time Major champion having a difficult summer in which he missed qualifying for the FedEx playoffs for the first time, Zach Johnson still picked Thomas as his “emotional leader.”.
The NBC Sports analyst noted that confidence was a major problem for Justin Thomas.

“Even though he had a good finish before this match, he might not necessarily have it.
Justin Thomas’s lack of confidence in his choice, in my opinion, makes it a very dangerous one.
And Justin Thomas, in my opinion, is the European team’s biggest target.
Nobody excites them more than the man who is regarded as the team leader.
“.

Aberg, 23, was chosen by Donald after the Swede won his ninth professional event at the Omega European Masters despite only turning pro in June.
Azinger continued, “I think Luke turned down a couple of players who probably deserved to play.
The Ryder Cup has actually always been decided by merit rather than popular opinion.

The choice of [Rasmus] Hojgaard is adequate.
Aberg is a fantastic player, but if you’ve been following him, you know that playing in a Major for the first time is very risky.
A Ryder Cup alters the way your arms and legs feel.

Although he is 23 years old and is likely to become the best player in the world, the decision to select him wasn’t without some risk.
In choosing their teams, both captains took a chance.
That’s convincing.
“.

The last American team to triumph in Europe that same year was comprised of the 1993 US PGA champion. Tom Watson led the team. I don’t believe there is a real explanation for why we weren’t successful in winning this battle,” Azinger continued.

“However, I do think that being at home has a certain magic that Europe has been able to really capitalize on over the years, often thanks to the way the course was set up. I anticipate that it will be close.
very close indeed.
We’re hoping it’ll be one of the closest ones we’ve seen in a very, very long time.
“.