Thomas to No. 1 with 11th-place finish at Players Championship

PANTE VERDA BEACH

Justin Thomas is celebrating in becoming the 21st different golfer to become number one in the world after finishing tied for 11th at the Players Championship on May 13.

Thomas, 25 dethroned fellow American Dustin Johnson, who had led the rankings for 64 weeks since winning last year’s Genesis Open in Los Angeles.

Johnson had teed-up at TPC Sawgrass under threat from those ranked No. 2 to No. 5 in the world and it was the second-ranked Thomas who finally attained the summit.

Thomas capped his week with a final-round 66 to finish in a six-way tie for 11th on 11-under 277 - seven shots behind runaway winner Webb Simpson.

Johnson needed a birdie the 72nd hole to tie Thomas and remain at number one, but left his second shot short of the green en route to a par.

He signed for a 72 for a share of 17th place on 10-under 278.