Returning from an injury is never an easy feat on the PGA Tour. And for Justin Thomas, making a comeback at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational proved as tough as what Rory McIlroy feared. 

Reflecting on his own comeback from injuries after the second round at Bay Hill Club and Lodge, the world number two said, “I haven't went through surgery, so I don't know what that's like to come back from. But, yeah, it's going to take time.”

“I saw JT a few weeks ago, and he said that this is going to be his first start, and I said, ‘Oof, that's probably not the best place to come back to after six months off.’”

However, he seemed quite confident in Thomas’ skills as one of the best players over the last decade. McIlroy knew Thomas would be fine. But all the two-time major champion needs is his “sharpness” and bounce back into “tournament mode.” 

“But, as long as he got through these two days and didn't feel any ill effects of the back or the surgery, then I think he's in a good spot.”

Unfortunately, Justin Thomas failed to make the cut. He shot a 14-over 158 in the first two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and finished dead last. On top of that, we all saw his compromised swing. 

Complete recovery from a microdiscectomy typically takes three to six months. And during post-surgery rehabilitation, the movement of the hips and lower back seems to be compromised. The same appeared to be the case for Thomas. His swings lacked the power that the lower body helps generate. 

But some of the blame went to the Bay Hill Club and Lodge as well. And Thomas agreed on that. 

Justin Thomas Could Have Picked an Easier Course for His Comeback

Just a day ago, following Thomas’ first round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the media pointed out that Xander Schauffele made his comeback at the same course in 2025. But Schauffele soon found out that it was the “toughest place that he could have picked” for his return. And it was the same for Thomas as well. 

“It kind of sucks, to be honest,” Thomas said. “I said to Rev walking up 18, I said, ‘I know it's been a while since we played, but these scores are a lot lower than I thought they would be.’”

As the afternoon came, things got a bit “dicey” for Thomas. He saw his field mates playing in the same place. But they played a lot better. 

What matters the most is his return. But for now, we can hope for his complete recovery and a stronger comeback in the next PGA Tour event. 

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik