Justin Thomas expressed his pride at remaining in contention for Players Championship glory at the midway point at TPC Sawgrass.

The 2021 champion is playing in just his second tournament since undergoing hip surgery four months ago.

Despite a poor showing on his return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Thomas has carded back-to-back rounds of 68 to sit four shots behind leader Ludvig Aberg at eight-under.

And the American hopes he can maintain that consistency heading into the final two days.

"It feels miles better. It's a crazy game we play," he told reporters. "I'm four months post-surgery today. It's very difficult trying to balance all of it, the rehab and the expectations.

"It's just about trying to do all the things that I need to do, while also still trying to play really well and trying to win a golf tournament while I'm at it.

"I'm proud of myself, getting myself in contention through two days. But I've got two days left to try to keep playing well.

"It was nice to birdie two of the last three and put myself in contention. It's all you can do at this point. 

"I've just got to keep trying to do the things I'm doing well, and sharpen up on a couple of things here and there."

A second round 9-under 63 gives Ludvig Åberg a two-shot lead heading into the weekend.#THEPLAYERS pic.twitter.com/wW1FmRpcGL

— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERS) March 13, 2026

Aberg holds the halfway lead, two shots clear of Xander Schauffele in second, following an impressive second round of 63.

While the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy faltered, the Swede stayed steady, carding two eagles and six birdies as he equalled the lowest front-nine score in tournament history along the way.

"I got off to a really nice start, and then was able to keep it going," Aberg said. 

"Off the tee, I was struggling a little bit, mid-round – I got away with it a little bit – and then it was nice to finish the last three holes with a couple of birdies and play some good golf.

"Obviously, it's a cliche, but you're just trying to take it hole by hole – when you chip in, those are a bonus. The thing I was most pleased with was that I was hitting some nice shots, I wasn't just fluking it. It was good golf and nice swings."