Jordan Spieth has announced that he expects to miss the remainder of the 2024 golfing season due to surgery on his left wrist, a condition that has plagued him for several years. The wrist issue initially surfaced in late 2017 or early 2018, and despite persistent discomfort, Spieth continued to compete. However, a severe wrist dislocation in May of last year caused by a poolside incident with his son proved to be a tipping point.
Following the poolside incident, Spieth withdrew from the Byron Nelson tournament the next week, and his condition only worsened with time. Since February 2024, Spieth has experienced approximately 20 wrist dislocations. "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 revealed.
Impact on Performance
The impact of the injury has extended beyond physical discomfort, severely hampering his iron play throughout the 2024 season. Spieth even came close to withdrawing from the John Deere Classic because of another wrist dislocation. "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 admitted.
Decision for Surgery
Initially, Spieth contemplated undergoing surgery in July but opted to push through the season. However, rest alone did not remedy his condition, prompting him to proceed with the surgical route. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," explained Spieth.
The golfer consulted with numerous athletes who had undergone similar procedures, and their experiences provided some consolation. "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.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Spieth is optimistic about his recovery and his prospects for the future. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he remarked, reflecting some confidence in his surgical team. "Anytime a guy who does, you know, 30,000 to 40,000 surgeries is excited about something, you know, that's a reason for me to feel good about it, I guess."
Rehabilitation and patience will be crucial in the coming months. Spieth expects to start hitting balls again by November 2024, but participating in any events in December seems unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he acknowledged, focusing instead on a fresh start in 2025.
While disappointed that rest alone was insufficient to alleviate his condition, Spieth remains hopeful about his return to the sport he loves. "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 noted, acknowledging the cyclical nature of his struggle with the injury.
Although the journey to recovery has been arduous, Spieth’s determination and optimism are evident. As he navigates this challenging period, the golfing community will undoubtedly be watching, hopeful for his triumphant return in 2025.