Charles Barkley Takes a Dig at Justin Thomas, But the Comeback Stings

“I should have reached out to you how you deal with big losses like that. I mean, you’ve gone through that more than I have, so I should have just asked you,” said Justin Thomas.

Thomas was referring to the fact that Charles Barkley does not have a championship ring.

The exchange was Thomas’s first media appearance in the last 6 months. It was clear that while his golf game was on hold, his competitive edge was not.

A Patient Path Back to Bay Hill

Due to his long-term health concerns and the potential for lingering challenges, Thomas has stuck to a more conservative recovery timeline. He has strictly adhered to this timeline for issues.

The 32-year-old reported his injury was sinisterly “nervy,” resulting in foot and hip numbness and fatigue instead of the standard back pain, which also delayed his diagnosis.

Thankfully, Justin Thomas underwent a microdiscectomy in mid-November 2025 to repair the herniated disc. He was not fearful of being on the shelf, and the experience taught him, in no uncertain terms, that he will unequivocally “need a job” whenever he chooses to retire. 

However, Thomas is now eyeing a return to the greens for the Masters in April.

“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,” he said in January 2026.