LASIK propels Justin Thomas to impressive first round at Hero World Challenge

Justin Thomas saw the course differently than ever before in Round 1 of the Hero World Challenge and that was reflected on his scorecard. 

Thomas signed his scorecard tied for fourth after a 5-under 67, only one shot off Daniel Berger’s lead and that may be thanks to a special procedure that he finally had the time to have done. 

The 28-year-old had LASIK surgery a little over a week ago, which was why the five-time Tour winner, who usually wears contacts, was donning shades Thursday in the Bahamas’ sunshine – a rarity for him. 

Full-field scores from the Hero World Challenge

“I’ve been wanting to do [LASIK] for a while and it finally just worked out with the schedule to get it done,” Thomas said. “That’s why I keep walking around with the sunglasses. I don’t wear those too often, just trying to protect the eyes. Yeah, it was nice to get that done a week and a half ago and try to put it to the test here this week.” 

Thomas added that his eyes look “terrible,” but his game didn’t. Through 18 holes, the defending Players champion breezed through his “test” on Thursday, aside from a brouhaha off the tee on No. 18 that resulted in a double-bogey, dropping him out of the lead. But despite the final-hole mishap, Thomas is looking forward, with new and improved vision, to tomorrow’s assessment.