Justin Thomas won't be competing this week. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Thomas withdraws from Travelers Championship for rest, not for LIV

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 6/22/22

Being one of the world's best golfers is a hectic and dramatic business these days, with the tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf Invitational getting worse and worse by the day.

So perhaps it comes as no shock that when Justin Thomas chose to withdraw from this week's Traveler's Championship for maintenance. He quickly jumped onto social media to make sure no rumors spread that he might also be joining the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway league.

Before the rumors start flying, I have decided to WD to treat and rest my back which I tweaked earlier this week. Just making sure I get it taken care of and ready for the rest of the PGA season as planned. Hate to be missing one of the best/my favorite events @TravelersChamp! https://t.co/DUzwF1CTk2
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) June 22, 2022

"Before the rumors start flying," Thomas wrote, "I have decided to [withdraw] to treat and rest my back which I tweaked earlier this week."

While Thomas has been one of the harshest and most vocal critics of Greg Norman's breakaway golf league, it's understandable he would want to stop any rumors before they even started. Earlier this week, fellow PGA pro Collin Morikawa took to social media to refute rumors he was leaving the Tour.

To state for the record, once again, you all are absolutely wrong. I’ve said it since February at Riviera that I’m here to stay on the @PGATOUR and nothing has changed. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some cereal to pour in my milk
— Collin Morikawa (@collin_morikawa) June 21, 2022

Thomas' and Morikawa's announcements also come at a time when another high-profile golfer really has decided to join LIV. Reports surfaced Tuesday that Brooks Koepka will join the breakaway league, which has shed new light on comments he made at last weekend's U.S. Open about LIV Golf casting a dark cloud.

"Y'all are throwing a black cloud over the U.S. Open, and I think that sucks."

Brooks Koepka was getting a little annoyed with all the questions about the LIV Golf Series. pic.twitter.com/efRtTldE0D
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 14, 2022

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has already suspended 17 golfers for choosing to play in LIV Golf's inaugural event in London. Those golfers were allowed to participate in the U.S. Open and have been given the green light to participate in the Open Championship at St. Andrews in July.

More must-reads: