Two-time major winner Justin Thomas will make his PGA Tour comeback next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational following back surgery in November. The 16-time Tour winner has been practicing normally for about a month after undergoing a microdiscectomy procedure. He expressed tempered expectations for the challenging Bay Hill course.
Justin Thomas, who last competed on the PGA Tour at the Procore Championship in September 2025, underwent successful microdiscectomy surgery in November to address a bulging disc causing nerve pain and nagging hip issues. The procedure removed damaged material from his lower spine, and Thomas was cleared to return earlier this month. He chose to delay his comeback until the Florida Swing, starting with the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.
Thomas made his first competitive appearance since the surgery during a TGL match on Monday night, representing Atlanta Drive in a victory over Boston Common. He described his performance as rusty, noting it took time to find a rhythm. "It was not very good on my end," Thomas said, via the PGA Tour website. "I think it took me a little bit to get in a rhythm and kind of get comfortable."
Regarding his recovery, Thomas highlighted differences in how back issues affect individuals. "I've done a lot of reading and research and understanding that a lot of golfers have a very similar situation, but it affects everybody totally differently," he said. His father experiences back problems without nerve pain, unlike Thomas's case. Now focusing on injury management, Thomas aims to play without ailments. "Playing injury-free is my main goal and always has been," he stated. "It was unfortunate, but it is what it is, and I'm just gonna make the best out of it and do the right things."
The Arnold Palmer Invitational, a signature event since 1979 at the demanding Bay Hill course, tees off on March 9, 2026. Known for water hazards and bunkers, it presents a tough test. Thomas, who has one top-20 finish (T12 in 2024) in four starts there, plans consecutive appearances at this event and The Players Championship, with at least one more before the Masters. He has not made major swing changes but believes minor adjustments over recent years may have contributed to his injury.
In 2025, Thomas secured eight top-10 finishes, including a win at the RBC Heritage in April, but the layoff has left him cautious. "Look, I obviously want to and would love to play well next week, but I'm also understanding that it'll be, what, almost five, six months since I've played a competitive tournament," he said. "At least everybody else will be struggling with me at Bay Hill, so that'll make me feel a little bit better hopefully."
