Jordan Spieth, one of golf's most recognizable names, has made the difficult decision to step away from competition for the remainder of 2024 to address a persistent wrist injury. The three-time major champion revealed that he will undergo surgery on his left wrist, a condition that has plagued him for several years and significantly impacted his performance throughout the 2024 season.
A Long-Standing Issue
The wrist problem can be traced back to late 2017 or early 2018, a period during which Spieth continued to compete despite the discomfort. His iron play, an essential component of his game, has suffered noticeably, leading to a decline in his overall performance. The issue came to a head in May of last year when a serious wrist dislocation occurred due to a poolside incident involving his son.
"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, reflecting on his decision to opt for surgery.
The injury proved to be unyielding, with Spieth experiencing approximately 20 wrist dislocations since February 2024. This persistent issue forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament shortly after the poolside incident and nearly caused him to pull out of the John Deere Classic as well.
A Hard Decision
Despite initially considering surgery back in July, Spieth chose to push through the season in an attempt to manage the condition with rest and physical therapy. However, the nature of the injury meant that rest alone was not a viable solution. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," Spieth explained.
The decision to undergo surgery was not made lightly. Spieth has spoken with various athletes who have undergone similar procedures, gathering insights to better prepare himself for the upcoming recovery process. "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 said.
Looking Forward
Spieth’s optimism about his recovery is palpable. He anticipates starting to hit balls again by November 2024, though he acknowledges that playing in any events in December seems unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he admitted.
The physical toll of the injury has been significant, but Spieth acknowledged that it has also impacted him beyond the pain. "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,'" he shared.
Spieth's determination to return to top form remains unshaken. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he said, expressing his confidence in the outcome of the surgery. He has already communicated his decision to his caddie, Michael Greller, highlighting his resolute approach to resolving the issue. "I actually texted [caddie] Michael [Greller] like, 'Hey man, it came out last night, it hasn't gone back in overnight. And I can't do this. I gotta go get this thing fixed now.'"
Spieth's fans and the golfing community will undoubtedly miss his presence on the tour in the coming months. However, there is a collective hope that this period of recovery will allow him to return stronger and healthier than before, ready to chase new milestones in his illustrious career.