The field of favorites at this week’s PGA Championship got a little bit smaller on Monday as Justin Thomas announced that he was withdrawing from the second major championship of the season to allow an injured wrist to heal more fully.
Thomas, who was set as 18/1 odds win the event by GolfOdds.com, won the PGA Championship in 2017 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Unfortunately, I will be withdrawing from the 101st PGA Championship at Bethpage Black this week as my wrist is not fully healed,” Thomas wrote on social media. “Obviously as a past champion, this tournament is extra special to me. It consistently has the strongest field in golf and I’m disappointed to not be among those competing this year, but I’m optimistic about a return in the near future.”
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) May 13, 2019
Thomas hasn’t teed it up since his T12 finish at Augusta National last month at The Masters Tournament. His ailing wrist also kept him out of the Wells Fargo Championship last week at the site of his major championship victory two years ago.
Thomas, who is currently fifth in the Official World Golf Rankings, has been dealing with tendinitis in his wrist and has been seen wearing a brace on his right arm.
Kelly Kraft has replaced Thomas in the PGA Championship field.
