Bud Cauley opens up on friendship with Justin Thomas and what makes him special

“It’s been great. JT is one of my best friends, even if we’re not playing golf, just hanging out, doing things together. Now he has a young daughter too, so we’re going through that together too. He’s obviously seen me struggle with injuries and the things that I’ve gone through, and I feel like it’s kind of rare to have a friend like that on tour, where I really feel like unless he’s in contention, he’s pulling as hard for me as I am for myself. Of course, I pull for him too. And it’s just fun to have a friendship like that,” he said.

Cauley also praised Thomas’ skill level: “He’s unbelievable. Just watching him hit iron shots; I don’t know how you hit it any better than that.”

Justin Thomas’s reaction to Bud Cauley contending at the players Championship

Cauley entered the final round at TPC Sawgrass just one shot back from leader J.J. Spaun, giving him a real chance to claim his first PGA Tour title at one of the tour’s most high-profile events.

It didn’t quite happen, with Rory McIlroy eventually beating Spaun in a Monday playoff. Speaking after his own final round, Thomas explained how much it would have meant to see Cauley come out on top.

“He’s such a good player. I think it would be a crime if he doesn’t win at some point in his career. He’s just got that much game. Obviously I think the world of him. He’s one of the funniest, best dudes I know,” he said.

“Man, he’s just been through a lot. He’s had a lot of injuries and just battled a lot of ups and downs and just craziness. I’m just happy to have him out here and playing and seeing him all the time again. I would love to see him finish strong here and then have a chance come the last hole or two.”

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Even without the win at Sawgrass, Cauley had plenty to take away from 2025, reaching the BMW Championship and finishing 47th in the FedEx Cup standings—good enough to earn places in all of next year’s signature events.

If he can stay fit, there’s every reason to believe Cauley will deliver on that potential Thomas sees in him.