Justin Thomas Undergoes Back Surgery, Out for 2026 Start

Justin Thomas, a two-time PGA Championship winner and 16-time victor on the PGA Tour, announced Friday that he underwent microdiscectomy surgery on his back this week, sidelining him for the start of the 2026 season. The procedure, performed Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, addressed a disc issue causing nagging hip pain, and Thomas was released from the hospital the same day.

Thomas, currently ranked eighth in the Official World Golf Ranking, shared the update via social media, explaining that months of discomfort worsened despite time off, prompting an MRI that revealed the problem. "I've had some nagging hip pain for a handful of months and after some time off and worsening symptoms, an MRI showed I had a disc problem that needed to be treated," he wrote. "I had a successful microdiscectomy performed yesterday... I'm so grateful to the doctors and staff there for all their hard work and support."

The 32-year-old golfer emphasized a cautious approach to recovery, avoiding a specific return timeline to ensure full healing. "My next few weeks will be a lot of resting before the rehab process begins. I have a great team behind me who I fully trust to get...