Justin Thomas got sidelined following a microdiscectomy in November 2025 to repair a disc that pressed against a nerve in his lower spine. But as he recovered, did he experience any “weird” phases? 

At the press conference for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the two-time major champion said, "It's a weird, painful feeling, and it's scary. It's not like I did anything in particular; it's just a part of the process.”

Of course, Thomas did his own research during his rehabilitation and learned a lot about his condition. He found that nerve-related problems have a completely different feeling from injuries like a torn ACL or labrum. Nerve issues are also pretty specific. 

Pain can be different for people, depending on whether the nerve was compressed or simply had constant pressure over it. The duration also plays a role in defining the intensity of pain and recovery time. And for Thomas, the pain persisted for almost the entirety of the 2025 season. 

When a nerve is decompressed, blood flow returns, sensory signals restart, and there’s a temporary tingling or burning feeling. This phase usually comes weeks after surgery. Despite the alarming sensation, it’s a normal part of the healing process. 

Thomas continued, “But I definitely had a couple days where you have like kind of a week there for a couple weeks after the surgery where almost like your nerve wakes up of like, okay, I can move again, whatever.” 

Now, Thomas is back on the course. He’s planning to tee it off at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational. But won’t he need some more time to get back to a healthy state?

Justin Thomas Compares His Current Condition to His Pre-Surgery State

Thomas is certainly not healed completely. He still needs some time to swing like he used to before. 

“On the range yesterday I was kind of living around 76 to 77 ball speed,” he told the media. “So I'm definitely probably not cruising at the exact same. But it's more of like I feel that I can be a very similar, if not the same speed as before.”

He isn’t planning on over-exerting himself upon his return. He won’t swing 20-25 times in a row ahead of the tournament. But he disregarded the discomfort, claiming that it’s a part of the healing process. 

Usually, such injuries take three to six months for complete recovery. And Thomas is certainly on the right path.

What do you think about his recovery journey? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu