Justin Thomas 'p***** off' with Scottish Open display despite finishing as day one leader at The Renaissance

Justin Thomas dug out his favourite Tartan trousers to run riot at The Renaissance.

But the American star admits he was p****d off he didn’t fire another 59. Thomas took the lead at the Genesis Scottish Open with a 62 having found some old attire. He said: “It would maybe a little strange pulling them out in Columbus, Ohio or something in May. But I wore them at the Open a couple years ago and I liked them, so I saved them. I haven’t worn them in two years, so I’m glad I brought them back.”

Thomas shot eight-under to lead by one from South Korean Sungjae Im. But, having become the youngest player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59 at the 2017 Sony Open, he was irked at failing to nab another sub-60 round. He said: “Honestly, I thought the par was 71. Then I looked up and I saw like even-par 70 and I was like: I just need a couple more. I can shoot 59.

“Then, shocking, I made five pars in a row as soon as I started thinking about it, so that kind of p****d me off. I definitely wanted it and I was even thinking a couple lower, so we all know how that works out when you get ahead of yourself.”

Thomas admits it was finally nice to fully crack the Renaissance code with a game at nearby North Berwick earlier in the week also a help. He said: “Everybody there has been very nice.

I’d like to play some of the other ones around here, but I love North Berwick so much. It’s hard to not go there.

“It’s my third or fourth time. I try to go play on Monday or Tuesday when I get here. It’s awesome, such a cool golf course.

“You guys don’t have the best weather, so it’s a little hard to plan. It definitely isn’t something I do in the States and obviously I’m not in Scotland very often, so I try to take advantage of the time when I’m here.”

With The Open at Royal Troon next week, he continued: “I struggle sometimes of playing links golf, how I feel like it’s supposed to be played, so I think adjusting and kind of having fun with it out here is something that I’m really trying to do this week and next week and something I feel like I haven’t done as well in the past.”

A first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship would be sweet, especially in the Home of Golf. Thomas said: “I mean, it’d mean a lot. I’ve got three days left, but I’m off to a great start and that’s important.”