Justin Thomas looked completely out of sorts in his 2026 PGA Tour debut. The two-time major champion finished dead last at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in his first start since undergoing a microdiscectomy to address a disc issue in his back last year, but that may have been all he needed to shake off the rust.
Just a few days later, Thomas fired a 4-under 68 in the first round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. He currently sits in a tie for second place behind only Maverick McNealy, who shot a 5-under 67.
It was a shocking bounce-back from Thomas, who had one of the worst performances of his career just last week. At the API, the American shot +14 in two rounds, ranking last in the 70-man field in strokes gained from off the tee, 69th in strokes gained from putting and 68th in strokes gained on approach. There were no positives to take away from his 2026 debut, and his confidence must have been at an all-time low.
But golf is a funny sport, and Thomas proved just that a few days later.
Justin Thomas shows signs of life at Players Championship
Thomas bounced back in a big way at TPC Sawgrass in the first round of the Players Championship with six birdies and only two bogeys. He currently ranks eighth in the field in strokes gained from off the tee and fifth in strokes gained from putting.
What a difference a week makes.