Justin Thomas, a prominent golfer and two-time major champion, will sit out the beginning of the 2026 PGA Tour season after successfully undergoing back surgery, as revealed in a social media statement on Friday.
Thomas announced the news via a post on his social media accounts, stating that he had a successful microdiscectomy procedure performed on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. The 32-year-old was released from the hospital the same day and emphasized that the surgery was necessary to address a disc issue that had been causing nagging hip pain for several months.
The golfer explained that after experiencing worsening symptoms despite time off, an MRI confirmed the need for surgical intervention. Thomas described the procedure as a microdiscectomy, a common back surgery aimed at relieving pressure on nerves by removing portions of a herniated disc. This type of surgery has a typical recovery timeline of about three months, though Thomas has not set a specific date for his return to competitive golf.
As a result of the surgery, Thomas will miss several upcoming events, including the Hero World Challenge scheduled for December 4-7 and the rebooted Skins Game the Friday after Thanksgiving. More significantly, his absence will extend into the start of the 2026 PGA Tour season, potentially affecting his participation in early tournaments like the Sony Open in Hawaii, where he has traditionally competed.
Thomas’s decision comes after a resurgent 2025 season in which he captured his 18th career PGA Tour victory at the RBC Heritage, ending a three-year drought. Currently ranked eighth in the Official World Golf Ranking, he had eight top-10 finishes this past year, reestablishing himself as one of the sport’s elite players. The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate given his recent return to form.
The procedure Thomas underwent is similar to those his friend and fellow golfer Tiger Woods has had multiple times. Woods has endured several microdiscectomies over the past decade, with his most recent similar surgery occurring in 2024. Last month, Woods announced he had disk replacement surgery, highlighting the persistent back issues that can plague professional golfers.
In his statement, Thomas expressed confidence in his medical team and outlined his recovery plan, which will begin with several weeks of rest before starting rehabilitation. He stressed the importance of allowing the disc to fully heal to prevent future issues, noting, “I want to be very smart and patient in letting my disc fully heal so it isn’t an issue again.”
Thomas also reflected on the longevity of a golf career, stating, “I’m very lucky that the game of golf allows us to play at a high level for a long time, and that’s what I plan on doing – this procedure will allow me to do that injury-free in the future.” This perspective underscores his focus on long-term health over immediate competition. The absence of a high-profile player like Thomas from the early part of the 2026 season could impact tournament fields and fan interest. However, his priority is a full recovery, with the goal of returning stronger and continuing to compete at the highest level for years to come. Golf enthusiasts will be watching for updates on his progress as he works through the rehabilitation process.
