Justin Thomas confirms why he was wearing wrist tape while playing his first round at The Open Championship

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Justin Thomas required protection on his left wrist during the first round of The Open Championship, where he posted an even-par 70.

Thomas was consistent across the front and back nines at Royal Birkdale, host of the final major championship of the season.

He has played in the three previous tournaments, although the American’s 2026 season was delayed after he underwent back surgery late last year.

However, Thomas was showing signs of a different injury on day one at Royal Birkdale, although he has played down the issue.

Justin Thomas confirms firm turf as reason behind wrist tape at The Open

Thomas was asked after his first round of The Open Championship how long he has been taping his wrist, to which he said: “Off and on a little this year.

“To be honest, it’s just the turf is really, really firm over here.

“It hasn’t hurt me at all.

“I even tried last week one day not taping it, and I was like, what do you think, to the physio.

“He’s like, just tape it.

“Everything doesn’t hurt when I tape it.

“As firm as this turf is, it just feels like it’s more preventative.”

Conditions were indeed very firm on Thursday, with wind also playing a role at the links course in Southport.

Justin Thomas analyzes his ‘solid’ PGA Tour season so far

Thomas was also tasked with discussing his overall efforts across the PGA Tour in 2026, where he has made 13 appearances.

The American’s only missed cut arrived in his opening event at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, after which he has claimed one top five and two top 10s.

“I don’t know,” he said of his season. “Yeah, it’s weird because it started a lot later in March, so it’s harder to… it already goes by fast, and it really goes by fast when you start in March. It’s been solid.

“I haven’t had kind of the results and I feel like gotten as much out of my game as I could have result-wise, but I had a nice stretch there where I feel like I contended two, three, four weeks in a row there, and I feel like I’m close to that again.

“Just kind of staying patient. We have however many events left for the rest of the year, and to turn it into a great year.”

And sharing if he has added anything because of the Presidents Cup, Thomas said: “Not necessarily for Presidents Cup.

“It’s more of just… I prefer to not take three weeks off going into the playoffs. I don’t really want to go into Memphis rusty.

“But I don’t know. I’d like to add something; I’m just not sure what I’m going to add just yet.”

Right now his focus is firmly on The Open, where he will be looking to build on his momentum from the other three majors.

The two-time major champion finished T41 at The Masters, T4 at the PGA Championship and T17 at the US Open.

Read more: Stewart Cink shocked by conditions at Royal Birkdale on day one of The Open