Justin Thomas claimed a maiden Major Championship as the American soared to a two-stroke victory at the U.S. PGA Championship in a thrilling final day, during which Francesco Molinari and Patrick Reed both made charges towards the title before finishing tied for second alongside Louis Oosthuizen.

Thomas was certainly a crowd favourite at Quail Hollow Club and he undoubtedly provided the most memorable moments in a finale which was set alight when his birdie putt at the ninth hole sat on the cup for eight seconds before falling to rapturous roars from the galleries.

That took the 24 year old to the turn in one under before he followed that drama immediately with a second successive birdie at the tenth. The momentum was with the Kentucky player at that stage as the crowds descended on the penultimate group of which he was a part, and two more birdies at the 13^th and 17^th lifted him three shots clear heading down the last.

After finding a fairway bunker with his final tee shot, Thomas’s nerveless approach left him with four putts to win and a bogey five rounded off a memorable three under final round 68 for an eight under total.

“It was a crazy day. It had to be an unbelievable watching today in terms of spectating and sitting at home watching on TV,” Thomas said.

“I forget what hole it was, I think walking up to the 12^th green, there were maybe five of us at seven under. I had no idea it was that close. I kind of thought Hideki and I were at around 7 or 8 or whatever he wasand then some other guys.

“Then I saw Patrick Reed was playing well. I saw Rickie was kind of making a run. I saw Francesco was up there, and then obviously Kisner and Stroud behind us. To see that was kind of crazy. And then that chip-in on 13 was probably the most berserk I’ve ever gone on the golf course. I’m kind of interested to see how I looked for that. It was nice.

“It was something that obviously as a kid growing up, being a golf fan, you want to win all the majors. You want to win any major. For me, the PGA Championship definitely had a special place in my heart, and maybe a special drive, I guess you could say. Like I said, I want to win every tournament I play in. I want to try to win every major.”

Molinari, meanwhile, put himself in the mix with a stunning 67 which began with a flawless two under par front nine before the Italian followed a disappointing bogey at the par five tenth with four birdies in five holes. Another dropped shot at the 16^th, however, put paid to his chances.

His fellow European Tour Member Reed joined him in second place soon after, the American carding four birdies in six holes early on for a two under front nine before picking up a shot each at the tenth, 14^th and 15^th to move within reach, before a bogey at the last for a 67 and a six under total.

Oosthuizen holed a huge putt at the last to join them in a share of the runner-up spot. Jordan Smith’s incredible rise through the ranks reached heady new heights as the Englishman finished with a 68 to claim a top ten on his Major debut.