Justin Thomas confirms next start after back surgery

Multiple PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas has confirmed his next start. 

The 32-year-old American has not played since he was part of the United States team that was beaten 15-13 on home soil by Europe in the Ryder Cup last September. 

Thomas revealed on 15 November that he had been feeling some "nagging hip pain for a handful of months" and the symptoms had worsened.

An MRI scan revealed that he had a disc problem in his lower back. He had a microdiscectomy performed and has been taking his rehab slowly.

The procedure was similar to the one Tiger Woods underwent to relieve nerve pain.

Woods, 50, told reporters before the Genesis Invitational this week that his recovery continues to be slow and his back is sore. 

Although he is not ruling out an epic return to The Masters this April. 

As for Thomas, he has already missed the Sony Open, American Express, Farmers Insurance Open, WM Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

But he will be back in action next week competing for Atlanta Drive in TGL. 

Thomas made the surprise announcement when he replied to country music star Luke Bryan on X:

Atlanta Drive the the reigning TGL champions and will face Rory McIlroy's Boston Common Golf next Monday. 

The quartet, made up of Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel and Lucas Glover, are currently top of the TGL standings with two wins from their first three matches. 

Chris Gotterup and Corey Conners have been called in as reserves for Atlanta this year. 

Last year's finalists, New York, are bottom of the table. 

Last year, Thomas finished seventh in the 2025 FedExCup standings, highlighted by a victory at the RBC Heritage, his first time in the winner's circle since the 2022 PGA Championship.

His return to action is timely, given the first major of the year is now 50 days away.