Ten weeks after undergoing surgery to address a disc problem in his back, world No. 9 Justin Thomas is aiming to return to competition during the PGA Tour’s upcoming Florida swing, he said in a social media post last Thursday.
Justin Thomas during the 2025 Players
“Recovery has gone well,” the 16-time tour winner’s post said. “I’m slowly building back my strength and conditioning in the gym, and also hitting wedges/short irons. Little victories and patience have been the biggest part of the process.”
Thomas, 32, underwent microdiscectomy surgery last November in New York. He cited a disc problem that caused “nagging hip pain” for a few months. Thomas last played competitive golf at the Ryder Cup in September.
The Florida swing kicks off at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches on Feb. 26, followed by the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Players Championship and the Valspar Championship. READ MORE
“We went really hard on the Americans about being paid to play the Ryder Cup and we also said that we would pay to play in Ryder Cups. There are two guys that can prove it.”
Rory McIlroy, suggesting that LIV Golf competitors Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton should pay their outstanding DP World Tour fines to be eligible for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
David Cannon, Getty Images
Although injury and illness prompted Luke Donald to withdraw prior to the first round of last week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the two-time Ryder Cup captain met with DP World Tour officials to discuss the possibility of returning for a third stint as captain for the 2027 matches at Ireland’s Adare Manor, according to his manager, Brendan Taylor.
“Really, really positive meetings, but still no decision,” Taylor told Golf Digest Middle East. “There’ll be an announcement when everybody’s ready to make that announcement. But very positive discussions. So we’ll see.”
Donald’s thinking about returning as captain has evolved since he led Europe to victory at Bethpage Black last September. During Donald’s trip to play in the DP World India Championship last October, “a number of the players like Rory [McIlroy], Shane [Lowry], Viktor [Hovland] were there, and they were sort of trying to convince him that, you know, maybe you should think about this,” Taylor said. READ MORE
Last Tuesday’s announcement that reigning NCAA champion Michael La Sasso has joined LIV Golf is an indication that the league seems to have turned its focus to signing top young talent.
La Sasso, 21, is leaving the University of Mississippi to turn pro and join Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC team. The decision means he will forsake his invitation to the 2026 Masters, which was contingent upon him competing as an amateur.
La Sasso was a finalist last year for both the Jack Nicklaus and Fred Haskins awards, which recognize the top collegiate men’s golfer.
“It’s a rare opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in the history of the game, and I don’t take that lightly,” La Sasso said of joining Mickelson’s team in a statement. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
The first group of committed LPGA Tour players for the WTGL indoor golf league that will debut next winter includes world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, England’s Charley Hull, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Canada’s Brooke Henderson and American Lexi Thompson, organizer TMRW Sports announced last Monday. READ MORE
The PGA of America has named Jackie Endsley championship director for the 2026 PGA Championship, scheduled for May 14-17 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Endsley succeeds Ryan Ogle, who announced he would step down earlier this month. READ MORE
LIV Golf will stage a tournament in New Jersey in August, it announced Friday. LIV Golf New York will take place Aug 6-9 at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
