Justin Thomas set to return at Arnold Palmer Invitational after surgery: “Not expecting anything great”

Justin Thomas is set to return to action, ending a five-month injury layoff. The American confirmed that he will return to competition at next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. Thomas was sidelined for five months following microdiscectomy surgery. Throughout his rehabilitation, he shared videos of himself working with resistance bands in the gym and provided updates on social media.

Justin Thomas feels good to be back after surgery, says he missed competition

Justin Thomas was last seen in action at the Ryder Cup in September. He finished seventh in the 2025 FedExCup standings last year. He underwent microdiscectomy surgery in November at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Last week, the American announced that he is fit and ready to return to the course.

“I’ve missed it,” Thomas told ESPN’s Marty Smith at TGL. “It’s been a long time, but it’s good to be back here and playing. I feel the juices, the competitiveness, the adrenaline, and just competing. I’ve watched these guys on TV for what feels like a really, really long time, so it’s good to be playing with them. It’s great, and obviously I’ve missed the competition,” Thomas said.

Speaking about practicing for his comeback, he told the news channel, “It was my first time playing, hitting it in a fairway bunker, and I’m like, I haven’t hit a fairway bunker shot in like four months or something like that. Just trying to play and get out there as often as I can — different winds, different grasses, different lies, different scenarios. Look, I obviously want to and would love to play well next week, but I also understand that it’ll be, what, almost five, six months since I’ve played a competitive tournament. So I’m not exactly expecting anything great. But at least everybody else will be struggling with me at Bay Hill, so that’ll make me feel a little bit better, hopefully.”

Two weeks ago, Thomas shared a video from his practice session and captioned it on Instagram: “After some follow-up imaging and meeting with my doctor and team, I’m officially cleared for all golf activity! It feels great to be swinging freely again and getting some reps in on the course. I’m working hard to build up my strength and stamina to get back into golf shape before competing on @pgatour. Can’t wait to get out there with the guys! LFG.”

Justin Thomas on how his back injury impacted his game

Justin Thomas also spoke about the chances of the surgery altering his ball-striking on the course. He explained, “Not a lot. I’m still going to have a lot of the same DNA and characteristics. I think there are maybe little things that have changed over the last couple of years that could have potentially caused an injury.”

He added that unlike his dad, his back injury was nerve-related and therefore required surgery.

“So it’s just strange. I just have to do the little things and stay on top of it. Playing injury-free is my main goal and always has been. It was unfortunate, but it is what it is. I’m just going to make the best of it and do the right things. I still have another 12, 15 years of great golf ahead of me. There’s no reason to look backward, just look forward,” he added.

Thomas will return to compete at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, scheduled from March 5–8 at Bay Hill Club, with a coveted prize purse of $20 million.

Also read: Justin Thomas’s net worth 2025: The rise of an American professional who dominated the PGA Tour

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