Jordan Spieth Faces Extended Recovery After Wrist Surgery
Jordan Spieth, the three-time major champion, has officially ruled himself out for the remainder of the 2024 season following surgery on his left wrist. The 30-year-old golfer has been battling wrist issues for several years, a predicament that has increasingly hindered his performance on the golf course.
The wrist trouble first manifested in late 2017 or early 2018. Since then, Spieth has trudged through numerous tournaments, feeling persistent discomfort. The severity of his injury became glaringly apparent in May of last year when a poolside incident with his son resulted in a severe wrist dislocation. The aftermath forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week.
Despite the ongoing discomfort, Spieth made the decision to continue competing rather than opting for surgical intervention sooner. "I didn't get it fixed maybe then, and I kind of got into some bad habits, and then as I started to swing it better a few years ago it started to kind of act up again," Spieth remarked, reflecting on his decision.
The toll on his wrist was substantial. From February 2024, he suffered approximately 20 wrist dislocations. The impact on his performance was unmistakable; his iron play suffered greatly throughout the 2024 season, and he nearly withdrew from the John Deere Classic due to another dislocation.
Ultimately, Spieth acknowledged that the injury required more than just rest. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," he explained. He had initially considered having the surgery in July but chose to push through the season. However, the continuous pain and worsening condition led him to opt for surgery.
The decision wasn’t easy, but the feedback from the medical professionals provided some comfort. "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," Spieth said, expressing a mixture of apprehension and optimism.
While the physical ramifications were debilitating, Spieth acknowledged the psychological toll the injury exacted. "Like I said, I really didn't want to 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,'" he recounted.
The road to recovery will be a long one. Spieth has spoken with various athletes who have undergone similar surgeries and remains hopeful about his eventual return to form. "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," Spieth shared, balancing realism with optimism.
Looking ahead, Spieth hopes to start hitting balls again in November 2024. However, his participation in any events in December 2024 seems unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he admitted. His primary focus now is on a full recovery and returning to top form for the 2025 season.
Spieth’s resilience and determination have been hallmarks of his career, and his current situation is no exception. Despite the setback, he remains steadfast in his recovery and is eager to return to the sport he loves. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," Spieth said, encapsulating his hope for a stronger comeback. The golf world will undoubtedly be awaiting his return with great anticipation.