Players 2025: Justin Thomas is willing to do ‘anything’ for Bud Cauley to win at Sawgrass

Bud Cauley’s journey at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most compelling stories of the Players Championship. No one is rooting harder for him than his close friend and fellow competitor, Justin Thomas. With Thomas finishing his tournament with a Sunday 73, tying for 35th before thunderstorms paused play, he is now a spectator like the rest of us—watching anxiously to see if Cauley can make his mark.

Thomas and Cauley share a deep bond, having been teammates at Alabama and later roommates in Jupiter, Florida. Their friendship extends beyond golf, with Thomas even part of Cauley’s wedding party. As play remains suspended, Thomas has made it clear just how much he wants his friend to win. “I’d do some really, really weird things for Bud to win today,” he joked, emphasizing the emotional investment he has in Cauley’s performance on this grand stage.

Cauley faces a challenging path, sitting three strokes behind leader Rory McIlroy with seven-and-a-half holes remaining. His ball rests 67 yards from the 11th hole, awaiting the tournament’s resumption. While a victory would be monumental, a T-18 finish or better would secure his PGA Tour card—a crucial milestone following his recovery from a 2018 car accident. With Thomas’ unwavering support and the stakes high, all eyes remain on Cauley as he strives for a career-defining moment.