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Justin Thomas last competed on the PGA Tour at the Tour Championship on Sept. 1.

In an attempt to shake off the rust, Thomas tests his mettle against defending champion Collin Morikawa and fellow former major winners Xander Schauffele and Hideki Matsuyama among others in the Zozo Championship starting Thursday in Chiba, Japan.

“(I’ve had) quite a bit of time off,” Thomas said Tuesday at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. “I was champing at the bit to get here. The time off is nice, but if I don’t compete for a long time, I get … not bored but I want to get back and play in tournaments again.”

Although idle, Thomas had plenty on his plate given that his wife Jillian is expected to give birth to the couple’s first child in November.

“Yeah, any golf shot or situation I am in this week, it’s not going to be anything close to as hard as it’s going to be in a month or so when our little one comes,” Thomas said. “Yeah, we’re very fortunate with the timing of being able — for me being able to come here. Yeah, I think reality will probably set in when I’m flying home and then when I get home because it will be getting in crunch time.

“I know my wife’s going to be an unbelievable mom and I’m excited for the opportunity to raise a little girl. It’s going to be great. But this week, I’m focused on business and trying to win a golf tournament. Then it’s time to go home and get ready to be a dad.”

Thomas, 31, is seeking his 16th career win on the PGA Tour, and his first since he overcame a seven-shot deficit to capture his second PGA Championship in May of 2022. He has fared well in Asia, with two CIMB Classic titles in Malaysia and two CJ Cup victories in South Korea.

“I had a lot of success in Asia. Don’t worry, I definitely thought about that,” Thomas said.

–Field Level Media