“I really basically enjoyed what felt like kind of a full two weeks of, of really nothing,” Justin Thomas shared in an episode of The Drop. The American golfer left the Bethpage Black course with a broken heart and a well-earned hiatus from golf. What’s he doing during this break? Well, aside from spending time with his 1-year-old daughter and his family, Thomas finds time for an occasional chilled beer with his friends, too.

In a recent Instagram story shared by Justin Thomas, the Ryder Cup star shared a post by Innisfree Irish Pub, of him and a bunch of his golfing and drinking buddies.  The post was captioned: “Always a great time when JT heads to the ‘free ☘️ Thanks for stopping by! #RMFT.” Clearly, the Irish Pub is a common hangout for Thomas and his friends.

Replying with gratitude, Thomas wrote on his story, “I’ll never miss a chance to hang @innisfreettown. Thanks for always having us!” Enjoying the drinking banter at the Irish Pub, Thomas shared a beat of the celebration with golfers Bud Cauley and friends Nick Snead and Brantley Blow.

The Innisfree Irish pub isn’t just yet another beer spot; it is a Tuscaloosa staple. It is known for its lively game-day atmosphere, loud music, and its carefree crowd from the University of Alabama. No wonder Thomas, who used to play for the University of Alabama, often enjoyed the chill atmosphere of the bar during his college years. Even today, when he’s in town, he does not miss out on catching up with old friends in the state’s favorite local hangout.

Justin Thomas’s 2025 Ryder Cup campaign swung sharply between brilliance and frustration. His pairing with Cameron Young on Friday afternoon delivered the United States’ standout win of the event, a commanding 6-and-5 triumph over Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard.

But earlier that day, when teamed with Bryson DeChambeau, Thomas recorded one of the weakest statistical rounds on the course. The inconsistency continued on Saturday as he and Young faltered late against Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. Only in the Sunday singles did Thomas redeem himself, holing a decisive putt on the 18th to defeat Tommy Fleetwood and keep American hopes ‘only momentarily’ alive.

Once the outcome was sealed, Thomas’s demeanor said more than any press conference could. While teammates answered questions about tactics and pairings, he sat quietly by a window, watching Europe’s players and fans celebrate on the nearby green.

Thomas’s reaction reminded us of a long-standing truth about him: few American golfers invest more emotionally in the Ryder Cup. He has often spoken of valuing this event above majors, and the repeated U.S. shortcomings seem to weigh heavily on him. At 32, with only a few more Cups likely before he transitions into a future captaincy, Thomas doesn’t have many chances left as a player. So, as the celebrations unfolded outside, Thomas wasn’t merely watching another victory slip away; he was coming face-to-face with that reality.

After such a disappointment, Thomas is taking his time to rebound, and clearly, he’s spending that time right where he feels at home — back in Alabama. And he isn’t just making trips to the bar with his buddies, he’s also enjoying football. Besides that, he also met up with someone who believes in him.

Justin Thomas recently posted a set of photos on Instagram filled with Alabama pride and nostalgia. The pictures showed everything from the new golf facility to the buzzing energy of a night game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But the first photo stole the spotlight. A warm reunion between Thomas and Nick Saban.

The two have always shared mutual respect and a love for sports. Saban, who enjoys playing golf himself, once joked about their first meeting: “He was like a shy little puppy dog sitting in my office.” Over the years, he’s become one of Thomas’s biggest fans, saying, “Justin is a great person, great family … He’s a hard worker.” Fair to say that Saban will remind him of that unwavering belief. “You don’t have to defend,” those are the Saban words JT might take solace in again. After all, he began facing fans’ wrath just after day 1 of the Ryder Cup.

So, while Thomas continues to enjoy alcohol and hangouts with friends, rooting for the Alabama Crimson Tide, his next golf start might be sooner than we realize. Let’s take a look at what’s next for the American pro.

What is Justin Thomas’ road ahead?

Justin Thomas will stay out of golf for another month before returning to action at the Skins Game. However, the golfer confirmed at The Drop’s session that he’s already finding his way back to training. Following this time off from the course, Thomas returns to the course on November 28, Black Friday. He will compete alongside Tommy Fleetwood, Keegan Bradley, and Xander Schauffele. Thomas will go head-to-head in an attempt to secure a share of the $4 million prize purse.

The reverse prize purse format of the event makes things more interesting. All players begin with a million dollars, and the purse is adjusted based on their performance. Moreover, a golfer wins by collecting the most skins, which are awarded when a hole is won.

Following the skins game, Thomas joins a league of top-notch golfers again at the indoor TGL S2 event. From December 28 to March 24, the event concludes its regular-season matches. Thomas will be competing for the Atlanta Drive GC, alongside Billy Horschel, Lucas Glover, and Patrick Cantlay.

Clearly, the golfer has a packed schedule ahead right before the onset of his 2026 season. Needless to say, Thomas is preparing for the events in his own way. With recharge time with his family and friends, the golfer finds strength in lifting each other up.