CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Justin Thomas remembers hearing the roar before he ever saw the shot.

He had access to the clubhouse at Valhalla in 2000 as the 7-year-old son of a PGA professional, and the thunder from the gallery reached his ears before the TV showed Tiger Woods making the most important putt of his career at that PGA Championship.

Thomas was barely big enough to dream of playing against the best that day. Now his name is on the same Wanamaker Trophy.

Thomas closed with a 3-under 68 on Sunday at Quail Hollow to emerge from the shadow of Jordan Spieth, his longtime friend, to capture his first major that belonged as much to him as the two generations of PGA professional that came before him.

"As a kid growing up, you want to win all the majors. You want to win any major," Thomas said after his two-shot victory. "For me, the PGA definitely had a special place in my heart, and maybe a special drive. It's just a great win for the family, and it's a moment we'll never forget -- all of us."

On this day, the cheers were for him.

They gave him chills when his 8-foot birdie putt teetered on the edge of the 10th hole for 12 seconds before it finally dropped, when he chipped in from 40 feet on the 13th hole to seize control Sunday, and when he fired a 7-iron from 221 yards over the water to a peninsula green that all but sealed the victory.

Even more special than the trophy was seeing his father, Mike Thomas, walk toward with arms wide to wrap his only son in his arms. Thomas is the longtime pro at Harmony Landing outside Louisville, Kentucky and a former board member of the PGA of America. His father, Paul Thomas, is a 60-year PGA pro and the first one the 24-year-old Thomas called.

The week began with Spieth's quest for a career Grand Slam. He was at the 18th green late Sunday afternoon, but only so he could celebrate the moment with Thomas, close friends since they were 14.

"So awesome, dude," Spieth told him.

Thomas was every bit of that.

With five players still in the mix on the back nine, Thomas surged ahead by chipping in for birdie and holding his nerve down the stretch as his challengers eventually faded, one after another.

Hideki Matsuyama, bidding to become the first player from Japan to win a major, recovered from back-to-back bogeys with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to get within one shot. But the championship turned on the 16th hole.

With two big breaks to start the back nine, Justin Thomas, 24, closed with a 3-under 68 on Sunday to win the PGA Championship by two strokes. Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Thomas faced a 6-foot par putt to stay at 8 under. Matsuyama caught a good lie over the green and chipped to 5 feet. Thomas wasted no time over the putt and drilled it in the center of the cup. Matsuyama missed and was two shots behind.

"The last major of the year, and I was in contention," said Matsuyama, a runner-up at the U.S. Open. "All I can do is try harder next time."

Thomas sealed it with that 7-iron on the 17th that was so pure that he let the club twirl through his hands as he watched it clear the water and roll out to 15 feet. The birdie putt curled in and his lead was up to three going to the 18th. A final bogey only affected the score.

Thomas finished at 8-under 276 for his fourth victory of the year.

"I can't put it into words," Thomas said about his PGA of America heritage. "I wish my grandpa could be here for it. It's so special to get it done. I'm glad we have a trophy now."

Kevin Kisner was the last one who had a chance to catch him. But he three-putted from 100 feet on the 16th for bogey, couldn't birdie the 17th from long range and hit his second shot into the water and finished with a double-bogey. Kisner, the 54-hole leader, played the final three holes in 6 over on the weekend. He closed with a 74.

"That's not going to be fun to look at," he said of his weekend finish over the brutal closing stretch at Quail Hollow. "I thought I had to get to 10 [under] starting the day to win, and that was about right. I had every opportunity. I just didn't finish it off."

Matsuyama also hit into the water on No. 18 and made bogey for a 72 to finish three back.

Louis Oosthuizen (70), Patrick Reed (67) and Francesco Molinari (67) tied for second, though none had a chance to win playing the 18th. Oosthuizen holed a 50-foot birdie putt on the 18th that made him a runner-up in all four majors.

For Reed, it was his first top 10 in a major.

Thomas began his move with a 35-foot birdie putt on No. 9, and then caught two breaks on the par-5 10th. His tee shot sailed left into a tree and bounced out into the fairway. Then, his 8-foot birdie putt hung on the left edge of the cup until gravity finally took over. The rule allows a player reasonable time to get to the cup, so it dropped well within the 10-second limit.

Thomas gets referred to endlessly as Spieth's best friend because Spieth, who is three months younger, has done so much so quickly. Their friendship dates to France when they represented the U.S. in the Evian Junior Masters. Thomas won that 36-hole event.

Ten years later, they have won consecutive majors and head into the FedEx Cup playoffs battling for PGA Tour player of the year.

Thomas won both Hawaii events at the start of the year, shooting a 59 in the Sony Open and setting the 72-hole record on the PGA Tour. He said then his goals were high. And how are they now?

"Let you know when the year's over," he said.</s>Aug 13, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Justin Thomas plays from a bunker on the 16th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) - Justin Thomas capped off a major season that belonged to an aggressive new breed of fearless young Americans when he stormed to a two-stroke victory at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

At 24, he followed in the footsteps of then-23-year-old Jordan Spieth's British Open triumph and the U.S. Open victory by 27-year-old Brooks Koepka, suggesting a bright future for American golf.

Thomas, one of the longest drivers on tour, started the final major of the year ranked 14th in the world, not one of the favourites after recent poor form, but came through by executing under pressure as many of his rivals withered.

"I just had an unbelievable calmness throughout the week, throughout the day," Thomas said after lifting the Wanamaker Trophy. "I really truly felt I was going to win. I was just very confident. I didn’t get flustered.

"I was a lot more calm than I thought I would be. I thought I would be very shaky. At one point I looked at my hand it was a little shaky but that’s why you play."

The serenity served Thomas well after a slow start, as he bided his time before vaulting to the front with four birdies in a sizzling seven-hole stretch mid-round.

He then held firm over the dangerous final water-lined three holes, known as the 'Green Mile', hoisting a seven-iron to 15-foot at the par-three 17th before sinking the putt to all but secure victory, a bogey at the last academic as he carded 68 to finish at eight-under 276.

"That was probably one of the best shots I’ve ever had to a pin that was really brutal," Thomas said of his tee shot at 17.

"I needed to make par. I’ll never forget that vision in my head (and) to make a birdie there was beyond a bonus."

Thomas was one of five players tied for the lead early on the back nine, before he broke clear with an unlikely 40-foot chip-in birdie at the par-three 13th.

He celebrated wildly, pumping his fists, perhaps sensing it was a pivotal moment.

"That chip-in on 13 was probably the most berserk I’ve ever been on the golf course," he said.

As Thomas celebrated, others wondered what might have been, as fellow American Patrick Reed (67) bogeyed the last to finish equal second with Italian Francesco Molinari (67) and South African Louis Oosthuizen (70).

Hideki Matsuyama, seeking to become the first man from Japan to win a major, held the lead briefly mid-round before fading with three consecutive bogeys from the 11th.

He carded 72 and finished three shots behind with American Rickie Fowler (67).

Thomas, after sinking a 35-foot birdie at the ninth, picked up another shot to tie for the lead at the par-five 10th, where his eight-foot putt stopped on the lip of the cup.

Almost apoplectic with frustration, he wisely took his time walking to the ball, which after remaining stationary for 12 seconds toppled in.

"I acted like a child and threw a little tantrum and then it went in so I didn't look so bad," Thomas said.

"I did a little fit and gravity took over."

Two hours later he was celebrating victory.

"Major champion will never be taken away from my name," he said.</s>* Overnight leader Kisner finishes four shots back (Updates to end of tournament)

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Young American Justin Thomas validated his reputation as one of golf's great talents when he stormed to a two-stroke victory at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

Thomas vaulted to the front with four birdies in a sizzling seven-hole stretch mid-round and held firm over the dangerous final water-lined three holes, known as the 'Green Mile.'

The 24-year-old from Kentucky made a rare birdie at the par-three 17th to all but secure victory and a bogey at the last was academic as he carded 68 to finish at eight-under 276.

Fellow American Patrick Reed (67) bogeyed the last to finish equal second with Italian Francesco Molinari (67) and South African Louis Oosthuizen (70).

Hideki Matsuyama, seeking to become the first man from Japan to win a major, held the lead briefly mid-round before fading with three consecutive bogeys from the 11th.

He carded 72 and finished three shots behind with American Rickie Fowler (67).

Thomas, one of the longest drivers on tour, came into the final major of the year ranked 14th in the world, though not one of the favourites after recent poor form.

But he came through by executing under pressure as some of his rivals withered, joining his good friend Jordan Spieth, with whom he shared a house at the British Open last month, in the major champions club of 2017.

Thomas also joins Spaniard Sergio Garcia (Masters), American Brooks Koepka (U.S. Open) and Spieth (British Open) as the year's major champions. (Reporting by Andrew Both; Editing by Frank Pingue/Rex Gowar)</s>CHARLOTTE: Justin Thomas made two spectacular birdies in the final six holes on Sunday (Aug 13) to win the PGA Championship, the 14th-ranked American taking his first major title in a back-nine shootout thriller.

On a day that saw five players share the lead at one stage, Thomas fired a three-under par 68 to finish 72 holes on eight-under par 276 for a two-stroke victory over South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen, Italy's Francesco Molinari and American Patrick Reed.

Thomas rolled in an amazing 40-foot chip shot at the par-3 13th for a two-stroke lead and curled a 14-foot putt into the left side of the cup to birdie the par-3 17th for a three-shot edge, making a closing bogey all-but irrelevant.

Thomas claimed the Wanamaker Trophy and grabs the top prize of US$1.89 million (€1.59 million) for his fourth victory of the season after last year's CIMB Classic in Malaysia and two January events in Hawaii, the Tournament of Champions and Sony Open.</s>Justin Thomas has won the PGA Championship for his first major title.

The 24-year-old Thomas shot a 3-under 68 in the final round for his fourth win of the year. He entered the week as the world’s 14th-ranked player.

Thomas started the day two shots back of third-round leader Kevin Kisner, but began to make a move on the seventh hole.

From there, he birdied four of the next six holes, including a dramatic putt on the par-5 10th hole where his ball lingered on the left edge of the cup for about 12 seconds before falling in. He followed that up by chipping in from the fringe on No. 13 for another birdie en route to winning the Wanamaker Trophy. He essentially sealed the victory with a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.

Thomas’ father, Mike, is a PGA Tour professional at Harmony Landing in Louisville who got him started in the game at a young age. Mike Thomas is a former member of the PGA Board of Directors.</s>CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Justin Thomas emerged from the shadow of a longtime friend and won the PGA Championship to take his place among the young elite in golf.

With two big breaks to start the back nine, a chip-in for birdie and a 7-iron that soared over the water to a peninsula green, Thomas closed with a 3-under 68 and won by two shots. The PGA Championship was the most fitting major for the 24-year-old son of a PGA professional.
• None Justin Thomas aced this year's PGA Championship with his first major title, but how did the world's top 10 fare at Quail Hollow?

Mike Thomas, a former PGA board member and longtime pro in Kentucky, walked along the edge of the 18th green and into the arms of his son, a major champion.

The week began with Jordan Spieth's quest for a career Grand Slam. Spieth was at the 18th green late Sunday afternoon at Quail Hollow, but only so he could celebrate the moment with Thomas, close friends since they were 14.

It was every bit of that.

With five players still in the mix in the final hour, Thomas surged ahead by chipping in from 40 feet on the par-3 13th hole, and holding his nerve down the stretch as his challenger eventually faded, one after another.

Hideki Matsuyama, bidding to become the first player from Japan to win a major, appeared to recover from back-to-back bogeys with two straight birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to get within one shot. But the championship turned on the 16th hole.

Thomas faced a 6-foot par putt to stay at 8 under. Matsuyama caught a good lie over the green and chipped to 5 feet. Thomas wasted no time over the putt and drilled it in the center of cup. Matsuyama missed and was two shots behind.

Thomas sealed it with a 7-iron from 221 yards that cleared the water and rolled out to 15 feet. The birdie putt curled in and his lead was up to three going to the 18th. A final bogey only affected the score.

He finished at 8-under 276, his fourth victory of the year.

Kevin Kisner was the last one who had a chance to catch him. But he three-putted from 100 feet on the 16th for bogey, couldn't birdie the 17th from long range and hit his second shot into the water and finished with a double-bogey. Kisner, the 54-hole leader, closed with a 74.

Matsuyama also hit into the water on No. 18 and made bogey for a 72 to finish three back.

Louis Oosthuizen (70), Patrick Reed (67) and Francesco Molinari (67) tied for second, though none had a chance to win playing the 18th.</s>Jordan Spieth missed out on becoming the youngest winner of a career grand slam but still had reason to celebrate as his good friend Justin Thomas claimed a first major title in the US PGA Championship.

Thomas carded a closing 68 in a pulsating final round at Quail Hollow to finish eight under par, two shots ahead of Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Francesco Molinari.

Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama shared fifth place on five under with Kevin Kisner, who needed to eagle the 18th to force a play-off but ran up a double bogey, dropping back into a tie for seventh with Graham DeLaet.

England's Jordan Smith, playing in his first major championship, carded a closing 68 to finish a tie for ninth with Open runner-up Matt Kuchar and former world number one Jason Day.

Spieth and Fowler were waiting beside the 18th green to embrace Thomas before he signed his card to claim the first prize of 1.89million US dollars (£1.4million) for his fourth win of a remarkable season.

The 24-year-old, who became the youngest player to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour on his way to winning back-to-back events in Hawaii in January, began the final round two shots off the lead held by compatriot Kisner.

And his chances of following Open champion Spieth as a major champion took an immediate blow when he thinned a bunker shot on the first across the green and into another bunker.

After bouncing back immediately with a birdie on the next, Thomas dropped another shot on the third before getting back on track with birdies on the seventh and ninth.

Justin Thomas reacts after missing a birdie putt on the fourth hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament. Picture: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

Another birdie did not look on the cards as Thomas hooked his drive on the par-five 10th, but the ball bounced off the trees and back into the fairway, from where he was almost able to find the green.

After chipping to eight feet Thomas saw his birdie putt hang on the edge of the hole for nearly 10 seconds before it eventually dropped in and took him into a five-way tie for the lead.

That tie lasted just a few minutes as Matsuyama, Kisner, Chris Stroud and Molinari all dropped shots, with Thomas then chipping in for birdie on the 13th to move two shots clear.

Thomas saw his two-shot lead cut in half as first Reed, then Matsuyama and Kisner, all picked up shots on the 14th and 15th to reach seven under par.

But Reed could only bogey the 18th after finding sand off the tee and Thomas holed from 15 feet on the 17th to increase his lead, before Matsuyama and Kisner both bogeyed the 16th.

That meant Thomas could afford to bogey the last and leave Kisner to try to play the last two holes in two under par, only for the 33-year-old to pull his approach to the last into the creek which runs the length of the hole and double bogey.

Fittingly in a tournament which invites 20 club professionals to compete, both Thomas's father Mike and his grandfather Paul were PGA professionals.

"I really can't put it into words," Thomas said. "I wish my grandpa could be here to see it. It's so special to get it done with three generations of PGA members.

"The putt on 10 was funny because it snuck up on the hole. We read it going back a little back right and it never did. I kind of acted like a child and threw a little tantrum, but then it went in and I didn't look so dumb."

Thomas went into the final day of the US Open in June just a shot off the lead after setting a tournament record for lowest score in relation to par with a nine-under 63 in the third round.

But he could only finish ninth after a closing 75 and said that experience played a large part in his victory at Quail Hollow.

"I felt like at the US Open, although Brooks (Koepka) had an unbelievable round, I needed to be more patient to have a better finish," Thomas said. "I felt like I had the game to get it done."</s>Hideki Matsuyama moved closer to making history when he overcame a slow start to earn a one-shot lead over Americans Justin Thomas and Chris Stroud halfway through the final round at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina: Young American Justin Thomas validated his reputation as one of golf's great talents when he stormed to a two-stroke victory at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

Thomas remained patient after a slow start, biding his time before vaulting to the front with four birdies in a sizzling seven-hole stretch mid-round.

He then held firm over the dangerous final water-lined three holes, known as the 'Green Mile.'

The 24-year-old from Kentucky made a rare birdie at the brutal par-three 17th, sinking a 15-foot putt to all but secure victory and a bogey at the last was academic as he carded 68 to finish at eight-under 276.

"I knew no matter what my game was I needed to be patient," Thomas said. "I felt I had the game to get it done.

"It’s so special to get it done. The adrenaline today it’s unbelievable. The ball went so far.

"I’ve been driving it well. (On) 17, the pin today was brutal and to make a birdie there was beyond a bonus."

Fellow American Patrick Reed (67) bogeyed the last to finish equal second with Italian Francesco Molinari (67) and South African Louis Oosthuizen (70).

Oosthuizen joined a select club of players to have finished runner-up in all four majors. His lone victory came at the 2010 British Open at St. Andrews.

Hideki Matsuyama, seeking to become the first man from Japan to win a major, held the lead briefly mid-round before fading with three consecutive bogeys from the 11th.

He carded 72 and finished three shots behind with American Rickie Fowler (67).

Thomas, one of the longest drivers on tour, came into the final major of the year ranked 14th in the world, though not one of the favourites after recent poor form.

But he came through by executing under pressure as some of his rivals withered, joining his good friend Jordan Spieth, with whom he shared a house at the British Open last month, in the major champions club of 2017.

The other 2017 major winners were Spaniard Sergio Garcia (Masters), American Brooks Koepka (U.S. Open) and American Spieth (British Open).

Thomas also became the first player to win four times this season on the PGA Tour.

If one moment proved the catalyst for victory, it came at the par-five 10th, where the eight-foot birdie putt of Thomas stopped on the lip of the cup.

He wisely took his time walking to the ball, which after hovering over the edge for 12 seconds toppled in.

"The putt on 10 obviously snuck up on the hole," Thomas said. "Once it got there I felt like it was going to go in and it didn’t. I acted like a child and threw a little tantrum and then it went in so I didn't look so bad."</s>The Latest: It's becoming pretty clear No. 15 at Quail Hollow is going to be a pivotal swing hole coming down the stretch in the final round of the PGA Championship.

The Latest: It's becoming pretty clear No. 15 at Quail Hollow is going to be a pivotal swing hole coming down the stretch in the final round of the PGA Championship.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara). Chris Stroud reacts after missing a putt on the 16th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara). Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, hits from the bunker on the 17th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C.

(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara). Kevin Kisner walks across the bridge on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Justin Thomas emerged from the shadow of a longtime friend and won the PGA Championship to take his place among the young elite in golf.

With two big breaks to start the back nine, a chip-in for birdie to seize control and a timely 7-iron that soared over the water to a peninsula green, Thomas closed with a 3-under 68 for a two-shot victory.

The PGA Championship was the most fitting major for the 24-year-old son of a PGA professional. Mike Thomas, a former PGA board member and longtime pro at Harmony Landing outside Louisville, Kentucky, walked along the edge of the 18th green and into the arms of his son, a major champion.

The week began with Jordan Spieth's quest for a career Grand Slam. Spieth was at the 18th green late Sunday afternoon at Quail Hollow, but only so he could celebrate the moment with Thomas, close friends since they were 14.

Thomas was every bit of that.

With five players still in the mix on the back nine, Thomas surged ahead by chipping in from 40 feet on the par-3 13th hole, and holding his nerve down the stretch as his challengers eventually faded, one after another.

Hideki Matsuyama, bidding to become the first player from Japan to win a major, recovered from back-to-back bogeys with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to get within one shot. But the championship turned on the 16th hole.

Thomas faced a 6-foot par putt to stay at 8 under. Matsuyama caught a good lie over the green and chipped to 5 feet. Thomas wasted no time over the putt and drilled it in the center of cup. Matsuyama missed and was two shots behind.

"The last major of the year, and I was in contention," said Matsuyama, a runner-up at the U.S. Open. "All I can do is try harder next time."

Thomas sealed it with a 7-iron from 221 yards, so pure that he let the club twirl through his hands as he watched it clear the water and roll out to 15 feet. The birdie putt curled in and his lead was up to three going to the 18th. A final bogey only affected the score.

Thomas finished at 8-under 276 for his fourth victory of the year.

The PGA has been part of the Thomas family for three generations. Paul Thomas, his grandfather, was the longtime pro at Zanesville Country Club in Ohio who played in the 1962 U.S. Open. His father played at Morehead State and had aspirations of playing the tour that didn't last long. Instead, Mike Thomas became a club pro who watched his son fall in love with the game and grow into a force on the PGA Tour.

"I can't put it into words," Thomas said about his PGA of America heritage. "I wish my grandpa could be here for it. It's so special to get it done. I've glad we have a trophy now."

Kevin Kisner was the last one who had a chance to catch him. But he three-putted from 100 feet on the 16th for bogey, couldn't birdie the 17th from long range and hit his second shot into the water and finished with a double bogey. Kisner, the 54-hole leader, played the final three holes in 6 over on the weekend. He closed with a 74.

"That's not going to be fun to look at," he said of his weekend finish over the brutal closing stretch at Quail Hollow. "I thought I had to get to 10 (under) starting the day to win, and that was about right. I had every opportunity. I just didn't finish it off."

Matsuyama also hit into the water on No. 18 and made bogey for a 72 to finish three back.

Louis Oosthuizen (70), Patrick Reed (67) and Francesco Molinari (67) tied for second, though none had a chance to win playing the 18th. Oosthuizen holed a 50-foot birdie putt on the 18th to get a runner-up finish in the majors for the fourth time.

For Reed, it was his first top 10 in a major.

Just two months ago, fresh off a record-tying 63 in the U.S. Open to get in the final group at Erin Hills, Thomas struggled from the start and shot 75. He started this final round two shots behind, skulled a bunker shot on the first hole and had to make a 15-foot putt to avoid double bogey. He missed a short par putt on No. 3, and that was the last mistake he made until it no longer mattered.

Thomas began his move with a 35-foot birdie putt on No. 9, and then caught two breaks on the par-5 10th. His tee shot sailed left into a tree and bounced out into the fairway. Then, his 8-foot birdie putt hung on the left edge of the cup. Thomas smiled and lazily turned away, and a few seconds later as he looked back toward the hole, gravity took over and the ball dropped into the cup.

He had a chance for a knockout until failing to birdie the two easiest holes on the back nine, only to make up for it with the tough bunker shot on the 16th that led to his clutch par, and a 7-iron that made him a major champion.

He gets referred to endlessly as Spieth's best friend because Spieth, who is 3 months younger, has done so much so quickly. Their friendship dates to France when they represented the U.S. in the Evian Junior Masters. Thomas won that 36-hole event.

Ten years later, they have won consecutive majors and head into the FedEx Cup playoffs battling for PGA Tour player of the year.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas admits he was jealous of his friend Jordan Spieth winning majors and that it helped him lift his own title
In golf, American Justin Thomas wins the PGA Championship for his first career major title.