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Justin Thomas reveals what he really thinks of Tommy Fleetwood after Ryder Cup duel

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 12:43 PM ET

After a 15-year break, the Skins Game is back on TV screens, and Justin Thomas is set to take on Tommy Fleetwood in this year’s event.

Thomas and Fleetwood, who faced each other in the Ryder Cup singles, will team up for the Skins Game against Xander Schauffele and Keegan Bradley. The event is scheduled for November at Panther National in Palm Beach, Florida.

The original Skins Game took place in 1983, with Gary Player coming out on top against Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

This year’s lineup doesn’t have the same historic names as that first edition but still offers a good mix of talent and personality.

Despite their competitive encounters over the years – including that notable clash at Bethpage Black – there’s never been any real tension between Thomas and Fleetwood. In fact, they’ve often spoken positively about each other when asked by reporters.

Justin Thomas opens up about his views on Tommy Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup

Thomas narrowly edged out Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup, sinking a birdie on the final hole to take a 1-up win.

The Skins Game in November promises a much more relaxed setting compared to what they experienced at Bethpage Black.

Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

During an appearance on ‘Gravy and the Sleeze’ on SIRIUS XM PGA TOUR Radio, Thomas spoke about facing Fleetwood again next month at Panther National.

He said: “Tommy is one of those guys who even when you want to dislike him, even when I was playing him in the singles, it’s like I wanted to dislike him and Finau, but they’re like the best.

“And even if I didn’t like Finau I wouldn’t say that because he might decimate me, I mean he’s very scary.”

“He’s such a good dude, he’s more like a kill you with kindness kind of thing and he’ll just throw in those little subtle digs once in a while.”

Skins game changes up its format for 2025

The Skins Game returns this year with a new format after a long break from the calendar.

Traditionally, each hole has its own cash value, and if a player wins the hole outright, they pocket that amount. If the hole is tied, the money carries over to the next.

This time, though, there’s a twist: all four players will start with $1 million each. Their totals will then go up or down based on how they perform over the course of the event.

With little else happening in golf at that time of year, Thomas, Fleetwood, Schauffele and Bradley should still put on a show for fans looking for something different during the quiet season.

While it’s obviously nowhere near as intense as Bethpage Black was just weeks earlier, Fleetwood will have plenty of motivation when he sees Thomas again in November.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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