Jordan Spieth, the talented and widely admired professional golfer, has announced that he expects to be out for the rest of the 2024 season following surgery on his left wrist. This decision marks the end of a long and painful journey with a wrist condition that has plagued him for several years.
Years of Discomfort
Spieth’s wrist troubles reportedly began either in late 2017 or early 2018. Despite the persistent discomfort, he continued to compete at the highest level. The severity of his condition came to a head in May of last year when a poolside incident with his son led to a severe wrist dislocation. This injury forced Spieth to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week, raising concerns about his ability to maintain his competitive edge.
From February 2024 alone, Spieth endured approximately 20 wrist dislocations, significantly impacting his iron play throughout the season. He nearly withdrew from the John Deere Classic due to another dislocation, demonstrating the pervasive effect the injury had on his game.
The Decision for Surgery
Despite the ongoing issues, Spieth initially opted to push through the season, almost deciding on surgery in July but ultimately choosing to continue playing. However, it became evident that rest alone would not solve his problem. “It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately,” Spieth admitted. “So that's why I ended up having to do this.”
The decision to undergo surgery involved a mixture of relief and optimism for Spieth. He expressed a sense of trust in the expertise of his surgeon, noting, “Anytime a guy who does, you know, 30,000 to 40,000 surgeries is excited about something, you know, that's reason for me to feel good about it, I guess.”
The Impact Beyond Physical Pain
The injury’s impact extended beyond just the physical pain. Spieth opened up about the psychological burden it placed on him. “Like I said, I really didn't wanna make any excuses for myself the whole year because it wasn't hurting to hit the shot. And then I'd get into competition, and then I'd just bail. It was very strange. And so I guess it was a big enough sample size over a year, you'd think it frustrates you after a week or two, but for me, I just kind of kept thinking, 'You know, hey, this is just something mechanically I gotta fix.'”
Spieth has spoken with various athletes who have undergone similar surgeries and has found their experiences to be a valuable source of encouragement. “I talked to a lot of different players who've had similar operations and a lot of guys across different sports and they're like, 'Look, one day you'll wake up and, if you're patient enough, you do the right rehab, you listen to your docs and you take your time, there'll be one day where you wake up and you're like, 'Man, I just totally forgot that there was ever an issue.' So I look forward to that day,” he shared.
Looking Forward to Recovery
Spieth expects to start hitting balls again in November 2024, although he concedes that playing any events in December feels highly unlikely. “Playing any events in December feels like a stretch,” he admitted.
Despite the current setback, Spieth remains hopeful about his recovery and his future in professional golf. He expresses anticipation at the thought of coming back stronger, echoing his surgeon’s optimism. “In due time, it should be better than it was before,” he stated with confidence.
Through this challenging period, Spieth’s candor about his struggles and determination to return to top form have only endeared him further to fans and fellow athletes. As he sets his sights on a 2025 comeback, the golfing world will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting his return, hoping to witness the resurgence of one of the sport's most beloved figures.