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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Nick Schwartz

Justin Thomas wears Kobe Bryant’s high school jersey during tournament

Athletes and fans across the world of sports are grieving the loss of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant and the other victims of the helicopter crash that tragically claimed nine lives last weekend. PGA Tour star Justin Thomas honored the late NBA legend on Thursday in his first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open by putting on Bryant’s high school uniform before playing the famed par-3 16th hole.

Earlier in the week, Thomas opened up about his emotional reaction to Bryant’s passing.

Via Golf Digest:

“I’ve never cried for another man that I’d never even met before. He was my favorite player.”

At the 16th hole, Thomas pulled on a Lower Merion No. 33 jersey before hitting his shot to the green.

Thomas is also using wedges this week stamped with Kobe-related phrases like “Mamba Mentality” and “81 points.”

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