Justin Thomas Urges PGA Tour Players to Increase Media Access and Insight

Justin Thomas wants PGA Tour players to step up their TV game. He’s pushing for more player access and personality during broadcasts to help grow the sport.

In a memo to Tour players on Tuesday, Thomas laid out ways they can better connect with fans. The suggestions include pre-round and mid-round interviews, wearing mics during play, and sharing details about equipment and swing changes with broadcasters. Thomas, who serves on the Player Advisory Council’s tournament and fan engagement subcommittee alongside Max Homa, Adam Schenk and Mackenzie Hughes, shared the memo that was first reported by The Athletic.

What’s driving this push? Tour research shows on-course personality is what hooks younger fans – it’s the top factor for viewers aged 18-34.

It’s quite a shift for Thomas, who used to shut down these ideas immediately. “I’ve been the first to say no before things are even done being asked,” he wrote. But he’s coming around. He’s already done mid-round interviews at the Hero World Challenge and The Sentry, seeing how fans respond to getting inside players’ heads during competition.

“Fans love hearing our thought processes, conversations with our caddies, our reactions to shots, and understanding the ups and downs of competing at the highest level.”

Thomas points to NFL pre-game coach interviews as a model. “They pan down to the coach for one quick question – one they know is coming – and give a 5- to 10-second answer about their gameplan. I’m always tuned in,” he wrote. “Imagine that happening on the first tee before the final groups, or right after the opening shot.”

The Tour’s already testing these waters. They started doing walk-and-talk interviews during tournaments at last year’s Farmers Insurance Open. Max Homa was the first to try it, chatting with CBS’s Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman while playing the 13th hole in round three.

Thomas wrapped up his pitch by reminding fellow players they’re all Tour owners now. “The bigger and better we make it not only benefits us financially, it benefits our fans and creates the ability for us to do bigger things down the road.”