Justin Thomas Looks to Bounce Back at Arnold Palmer Invitational After Back Surgery

The two-time PGA Champion is excited to return to the PGA Tour but sets realistic expectations for his performance.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Justin Thomas will make his return to the PGA Tour next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, after missing the last three months due to back surgery following a painful 2025 season. Thomas, who is 32 years old, has been building towards full fitness recently, competing in Atlanta Drive's TGL matches on Monday. While he is excited to get back to playing professional golf, Thomas acknowledges that it may take months for him to return to his best form and is not expecting great results at Bay Hill.

Why it matters

Thomas is one of the top players on the PGA Tour, with two major championship wins to his name. His return to competition is highly anticipated, as fans and fellow players alike are eager to see how he performs after his extended absence due to injury. Thomas' honest assessment of his expectations also provides insight into the challenges professional golfers face when coming back from significant injuries or surgeries.

The details

Thomas has been out of action since undergoing back surgery following the 2025 season. He has been working on his fitness and recently competed in a TGL match, but admitted that his performance was "not very good" as he struggled to find his rhythm. Despite the setback, Thomas is excited to return to the PGA Tour and compete at the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week.

  • Thomas has missed the last three months after undergoing surgery on his back following a painful 2025 season.
  • Thomas will make his return to the PGA Tour next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The players

Justin Thomas

A 32-year-old professional golfer who has won two major championships on the PGA Tour. He is making his return to competition next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after missing the last three months due to back surgery.

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What they’re saying

“I'm excited to get back and play Bay Hill next week.”

— Justin Thomas (PGA Tour)

“Obviously, I would love to play well next week, but I'm also understanding that it'll be almost five, six months since I 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.”

— Justin Thomas (PGA Tour)

What’s next

Thomas will make his return to the PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week, where he will look to shake off the rust and work his way back to top form.

The takeaway

Justin Thomas' honest admission about his expectations for the Arnold Palmer Invitational highlights the challenges professional golfers face when returning from significant injuries or surgeries. While he is excited to get back to playing, Thomas understands that it may take time for him to regain his top form, providing a realistic outlook on his comeback that fans and fellow players can appreciate.