Fresh off return, Justin Thomas looks to carry Players momentum into Valspar

Justin Thomas is still re-learning what it feels like to be in form after six months away from competition, but the early signs have been encouraging.

Coming off a high-profile return with starts at Bay Hill and The Players, Thomas said he believes his game is capable of contending, even if doing so under tournament pressure is a different challenge. He missed the cut in his first tournament following back surgery at the Arnold Palmer Invitational but earned a top-10 finish with a tie for eighth at The Players.

"Last week was huge for me and very proud of myself, to be honest," Thomas said ahead of the Valspar Championship. "Although I wish the weekend would have gone differently or better. ... So coming off of six months off competition definitely proud and happy of that and hopefully just get a little bit of momentum from last week going forward."

That's part of why he keeps circling the Valspar on his calendar, where he was runner-up last year after bogeying two of the final three holes and losing by one stroke to Norway's Viktor Hovland.

"I think it's one of the most underrated courses that we have," Thomas said. "If you're not sharp or if you're not managing your game or emotions well, you can just make bogeys so fast."

Physically, Thomas said he feels fine, just worn down after two straight weeks on tough setups. He described Monday's physio room as unusually quiet, with players looking drained. With an even busier schedule of big events coming up later in spring, Thomas said his main focus is staying mentally fresh and avoiding self-inflicted mistakes.

He also weighed in on the Tour's ongoing efforts to tweak its Signature Event model, including discussion about expanding fields. Thomas said he hasn't talked to other players about specifics, but likes the idea of clarity and believes cuts still matter. "Cuts are a part of our game," he said. "I think it's a big part of the history of golf."

And when the conversation turned to sponsor exemptions, Thomas didn't hedge. "What, are you going to tell Tiger Woods he can't play if he wants to play?" he said. "Like, I'm sorry, but you're an idiot if that's what you think."

--Field Level Media