Justin Thomas will miss all events until at least early 2026 due to back surgery – Shane Lowry steps in for Skins Games.
Two-time major champion Justin Thomas has revealed the reason behind his absence from professional golf since the 2025 Ryder Cup: a herniated disc that required surgery. In a social media post, Thomas explained that recurring hip pain worsened during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park, leading to a microdiscectomy in mid-November. He is currently in the early stages of recovery. “The next few weeks will be focused on rest before rehab begins. I have a great team around me that I trust completely to get me back better than ever,” Thomas shared.
Thomas added that he has no set timeline for his return to competition. “Before you ask – no, I don’t have a tournament or specific date planned for my return. I’ll be missing some events into early 2026 but want to be smart and patient to fully heal my back so it’s no longer an issue.”
Shane Lowry to replace Thomas at Skins Games
Due to his injury, Thomas will also miss the return of the Skins Games, where he was set to play alongside Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood, and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele. Taking his place will be Irishman Shane Lowry, who clinched the decisive point at the 2025 Ryder Cup. The Skins Games will take place on November 28, 2025, the day after Thanksgiving, at Panther National in Florida. It will mark Lowry’s first appearance on U.S. soil since his Ryder Cup heroics at Bethpage.