Justin Thomas Went From 'Humiliating' Scores Last Week to Top 5 at TPC Sawgrass This Weekend
If you wrote off Justin Thomas last week, you owe him an apology.
Seven days ago, Thomas was grinding through back-to-back 79s at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in what he described as one of the most humbling experiences of his career. This week at The Players Championship, he sits inside the top five onn the TPC Sawgrass leaderboard, very much in contention at one of the most prestigious events in golf.
Thomas, who missed significant time last year recovering from back surgery, has been working his way back to form all season. The 79s were undoubetdly a setback, but his performance through two rounds at TPC Sawgrass show he's back in action.
Who is on the TPC Sawgrass Leaderboard?
The broader leaderboard picture sets up a fascinating weekend. Ludvig Åberg leads the field after firing a second-round 63, one of the best rounds of the tournament, putting him two shots clear of the field. Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy — the two players most expected to contend — are both outside the top ten, leaving the door open for someone to make a statement.
@skratch The most delayed club twirl in PLAYERS history, courtesy of JT. ???? #theplayers #tpcsawgrass #pgatour #golf #funny
♬ original sound - Skratch
Thomas making a run at that door would be one of the better stories of the early 2026 PGA Tour season. TPC Sawgrass remains the closest thing the PGA Tour has to a fifth major, and a JT win here would go a long way toward announcing his return.
Round 3 teed off Saturday morning.