‘Ryder’ Justin Thomas, after a month out, is six off the lead at Napa

Justin Thomas He had an irregular first afternoon, posting a 69, three under par, on his way back to the PGA Tour after a long break, which left him six shots off the lead Fortinet Championship. Thomas, former world number 1, winner of two majors (both PGA) And who was that? chosen by American captain Zach Johnson for the Ryder Cuphe hopes to improve his game with a final tune-up, but he’s not as good at Silverado Resort in Napa, California as expected.

Playing for the first time since finishing 12th at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro in early August, Thomas made four birdies and one bogey. He finished in a tie for 20th place, catching up Lucas Herbert, the leader after a great 63 (-9). “Sometimes after a break I struggle to get back into the game, but I never felt too rusty to compete,” said Thomas, who took three of the 14 fairways.

Herbert, who took a seven-week mental break without playing, came back stronger than Thomas. Herbert made 10 birdies – seven of his last nine holes – for an initial bogey. SH Kim was second with a 65, Kelly Kraft with a 66 along with Jason Dufner, Harry Hall, Sung Kang, Zac Blair and Mark Hubbard.

Max Homa, The two-time champion, the defending Fortinet champion and member of the US Ryder Cup team, endured a tough morning with a double bogey and a bogey on his way to joining Thomas at 69.

Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson also shot a 69. Vice-captain Stewart Cink, the 2020 winner, shot a 71.

Herbert, a 27-year-old Australian, is ranked 59th in the world rankings. He enters FedEx Fall 152nd in points. The top 125 players after seven tournaments this fall will retain their full PGA Tour cards for 2024.