For Justin Thomas, it’s a new season and a new (aggressive) mindset.

Justin Thomas missed Kapalua last year. He’s back now and hopes it won’t happen again.

And can you blame him? Hawaii in January is fantastic. Plus, if you’re in keeperit means you were good last season. This means you’ve had at least some success, won a tournament or advanced deep into the playoffs.

Thomas was not at Kapalua last year, as his 2022-23 season was the first without a win since his first full year on Tour a decade ago. He didn’t win last year either, but he played well enough to finish in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup rankings, meaning he earned a spot in all 2025 Signature Events.

His play over the past two years — some good, some bad — has also made him a bubble boy for the team’s last two events, the 2023 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Presidents Cup. For back-to-back seasons he failed to qualify automatically, but was good enough – and had a strong track record in these events – to warrant captain’s consideration.

For the Ryder Cup, he was in. For the Presidents Cup, he was out.

“It’s terrible. “Unfortunately I’ve been (on the bubble) for two years, and it’s not a fun place to be,” Thomas said, speaking to the media Wednesday at the Sentry season opener. “Not just waiting for a call, but then not knowing how the call is going to go, so it’s a lot of anxiety and a lot of stress.”

Thomas was out with his wife, Jill, when he got a call from captain Jim Furyk saying he wasn’t part of the Presidents Cup team. Thomas said it ruined the day and led to a beer at lunch.

“If it was my choice, if I was at home, I would have gone straight to the range,” he said. “Like, okay, I didn’t make it, it is what it is, but I’m going to try why I don’t think it was a good decision. Like I said, it was the right decision, but some things you just have to tell yourself.

That’s partly why Thomas has a new approach this season.

“I haven’t had a chance to play angry in a long time, so I’m really excited to play a little angry this year,” he said.

And if you’re wondering what exactly that means, an on-site reporter was there to dig up the sequel for you.

What is bored golf?

“Obviously, I didn’t deserve to be on the (Presidents Cup) team, but mentally in the back of my mind I always think and know that I’m going to be a good addition to a team,” Thomas said. “So sometimes you have to tell yourself some things.”

“I love Jimmy, we’ve talked a lot and our friendship and relationship hasn’t changed at all, but I wouldn’t have anything more than four, five or six times this year texting him and saying, ‘Call good’. (laugh) But I’m glad they won and they’re pulling them like crazy, but luckily we’re close enough where I feel like I can do that and he’s not going to be too mad.”

Thomas tied for 14th at the Tour Championship last season, but his best finish came in October when he traveled to Japan for the Zozo Championship. He shot 66 on Sunday and tied for second, one stroke behind Nico Echavarria. Last month, he was third in the Hero World Challenge.

There has been another big change this offseason. His daughter, Molly Grace Thomas, was born in November.

Two years without victory are behind him. But he’s starting 2025 right — in Hawaii.

“There’s no place I want to start my year more than Kapalua, so last year looking at it felt very honest,” Thomas said. “I’m glad to be back.”

Thomas’ first round begins at 4:39 pm ET on Thursday alongside Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott. You can watch it from 18-22 on the Golf Channel.