Justin Thomas, after stepping back from professional golf to recover from a back injury following the Ryder Cup, has declared his return to the PGA Tour. His 2025 season saw moments of success, including a win at the RBC Heritage and three second-place finishes; however, he struggled in major tournaments, missing cuts at both the US Open and PGA Championship.
Having missed the West Coast swing earlier in the year, Thomas recently competed in a TGL match and confirmed he will start at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 5. This marks his official comeback to regular PGA Tour competition after focusing on rehabilitation and recovery.
Rory McIlroy Shares Encouraging Thoughts on Thomas’ Return
Following Thomas’ team’s victory over McIlroy’s in a recent TGL match, the four-time major winner expressed optimism about Thomas’ return to the PGA Tour. McIlroy acknowledged the challenges Thomas endured while recovering from surgery and praised his rehab progress.
McIlroy stated,
“Yeah, it’s great. Obviously, he’s been out for a little while, but it looks like his rehab has went really well. Looks like he’s going to tee it up next week at Bay Hill for the first time.”
So yeah, great to have him back out here. Obviously, he’s been one of the best players over the last decade, and it always sucks when you have to go through something like that and have surgery, but it looks like he’s come out the other side and looks like he’s feeling pretty good. So yeah, it’s great to have him back.
— Rory McIlroy, Masters Champion
During his TGL appearances, Thomas displayed an impressive swing, signaling he may have regained full form. McIlroy emphasized that the tour benefits greatly when players of Thomas’ caliber are competing at their best.
Billy Horschel Offers Positive Assessment of Thomas’ Status
Several top players, including eight-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel, were asked about Thomas’ comeback at the TGL event. Horschel, a teammate of Thomas in the TGL league, spoke highly of Thomas’ skills and competitive potential.
Horschel remarked,
“Listen, it’s great. JT is one of the biggest stars in the game of golf. I’ve said it for many years; I think his talent when he’s on, he can compete with anyone. His short game, his ability to hit iron shots, I think he’s an unbelievable talent. I’ve talked about it for years.”
He further noted the difficulties the team faced due to injuries this season and shared humor about protecting their healthy teammate, Chris Gotterup.
Reflecting on Thomas’ eagerness to return, Horschel added that the player was “itching to play” and acknowledged Thomas’ strong performance during the TGL match.
I’m sure, like all golf fans, we’re interested to see how it looks in a couple weeks at Bay Hill and The Players Championship.
— Billy Horschel, PGA Tour Winner
Upcoming Events Mark Critical Test for Thomas’ Form
With premier tournaments such as The Players Championship and The Masters coming soon after Thomas’ return, he faces an important opportunity to regain top competitive shape quickly. His performance in these events will likely influence not only his ranking but also momentum heading deeper into the season.
Given Thomas’ history as one of golf’s leading figures and the respect expressed by peers including Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel, the anticipation surrounding his comeback is high. Fans and fellow players alike are eager to see if he can reestablish himself among the frontrunners on the PGA Tour.
