Masters 2018: Justin Thomas gives tricky response to Tiger Woods question
JUSTIN THOMAS is stuck in two minds on whether he is happy to challenge Tiger Woods on a more regular basis heading into this week’s Masters.
World No 2 Thomas is among a long list of favourites to win at Augusta this week in one of the most open fields in recent years.
Thomas enjoyed a breakout season last year which saw him win the PGA Championship in Charlotte before winning host of end-of-season awards.
The 24-year-old has never faced Woods at Augusta having made his debut in the tournament just two years ago.
Woods has struggled with injuries and personal issues that have kept him from competing at the Masters since 2015 but he returns this week among the favourites with many tipping him for a fairytale victory.
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Thomas will be one of many aiming to stop Woods doing so, but he admits facing the 14-time major champion brings its challenges.
"If I say I want to play against him, I can't beat him," Thomas said.
"Then if I say that I don't want to play against him, they say that I'm backing down from a challenge.
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“So I don't really know what to say!"
Woods will get underway on Thursday at 3:42pm BST alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Marc Leishman, while Thomas is alongside defending champion Sergio Garcia and amateur Doc Redman at 3.53pm.
Thomas heads into the Masters in good form having won at the Honda Classic in February before forcing a playoff against Phil Mickelson at the WGC-Mexico Championship.