The Routine Skin Check That Saved a Pro Golfer’s Life

PGA Tour professional Justin Thomas has launched a sunscreen brand after a routine skin check highlighted the necessity of UV protection for outdoor athletes. According to reporting from Men’s Health on June 10, 2026, Thomas developed the product line because he found existing sun protection options insufficient for the specific demands of professional golf.

Thomas stated that the decision to create his own SPF product followed a medical screening that changed his perspective on skin health. He intends to use the venture to encourage more people to prioritize daily sun protection to prevent long-term skin damage, according to the Men’s Health report.

Why do outdoor athletes face higher skin cancer risks?

Professional golfers spend several hours daily under direct ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which increases the likelihood of cumulative DNA damage in skin cells. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV radiation is a proven human carcinogen that causes the majority of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. For athletes like Thomas, the risk is compounded by prolonged exposure and the potential for sunscreen to degrade or wash away due to perspiration during competition.

Medical data indicates that the most common sites for skin cancer are areas with the highest sun exposure, such as the face, ears, and the backs of the hands. This makes consistent, high-SPF coverage critical for individuals whose professions require them to remain outdoors for the majority of the workday.

How does SPF protect the skin from UV damage?

Sun protection factor (SPF) measures how well a sunscreen protects the skin against UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn and play a key role in developing skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a broad-spectrum sunscreen is necessary because it protects against both UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and cause premature aging, and UVB rays.

The AAD recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. The effectiveness of these products generally falls into two categories: mineral and chemical filters.

Mineral sunscreens use active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to reflect UV rays away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens use compounds such as avobenzone or oxybenzone to absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin.

Athletes often face a trade-off between these two types. Mineral blockers are often more stable and less irritating to the skin but can leave a white residue. Chemical filters are typically more transparent and easier to apply over large areas but may cause sensitivity in some users or require more frequent reapplication when sweating.

What are the guidelines for effective sun protection?

Health organizations emphasize that applying sunscreen once at the start of the day is insufficient for those in high-exposure environments. The AAD states that sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or more frequently if the user is swimming or sweating heavily.

To ensure full protection, the AAD suggests the following application standards:

• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors.
• Use a generous amount to cover all exposed skin, including often-missed areas like the tops of the feet and the scalp.
• Combine topical SPF with physical barriers, such as wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective clothing.
• Seek shade during peak UV hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The routine skin check mentioned by Thomas is a central component of early detection. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that when detected early, most skin cancers are highly treatable. Regular screenings by a dermatologist allow for the identification of atypical moles or precancerous lesions before they progress into invasive malignancies.

Thomas’s move into the SPF market reflects a growing trend of athletes utilizing their platforms to advocate for preventative health measures. By addressing the specific application challenges faced by golfers—such as product texture and sweat resistance—Thomas aims to remove barriers that often lead athletes to skip sun protection.