Is Justin Thomas The Next Big Apparel Free Agent?

The lack of his usual shirt supplier's logo from his recent wardrobe choices has led to suggestions Justin Thomas could have joined Tommy Fleetwood as an apparel free agent

Justin Thomas talking while playing in the TGL for Atlanta Drive against Boston Common
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Could Justin Thomas follow Tommy Fleetwood in becoming a golf apparel free agent?

The two-time Major champion will make his PGA Tour return after back surgery next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and it looks like he'll be without his usual apparel supplier.

Fleetwood's situation has been a talking point on the PGA Tour this season as he's taken a fresh approach since ending his deal with Nike.

The FedEx Cup champion has decided to wear whatever he feels like during his early season tournaments - even going to the pro shop at Pebble Beach and wearing that famous logo as well as sporting some Masters gear while out in the Middle East.

“I think for now, I do have the luxury of trying different things, wearing different things, and I think I'll just take it from there, from this point onwards," said Fleetwood of his current free agent clothing status. "But it's been nice. And yeah, plenty of people have mentioned it.

“It's just something different. I have been with one company for a very, very long time, and they were absolutely amazing, and just at this point it's a bit different, and I'm wearing a few different things.

Tommy Fleetwood at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“I guess over time, I'll see if there is a particular way that I want to go with what I want to wear. But for now, it's just trying things and seeing what happens.”

Being a former World No.1 and two-time PGA Championship winner, Thomas would also be hot property on the open market if his deal with Greyson has in fact ended.

Whether Thomas will dive right into a new deal quickly or go a similar way to Fleetwood and enjoy some freedom remains to be seen.

Unlike Fleetwood, who doesn't have any other sponsorship logos to display, Thomas does need to include his two on any shirts he may opt to wear so is a bit more restricted.

So we may not see Thomas joining Fleetwood in the pro shop at Bay Hill when he makes his PGA Tour comeback next week, but his outfit choice will be something to watch out for.

Paul Higham
Contributor

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website.  Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush. 

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