Jordan Spieth, the renowned golf champion, has announced his intention to sit out the rest of 2024 due to a persistent wrist injury that has plagued him for several years. The decision comes after he underwent surgery on his left wrist, a critical step he hopes will help him get back to his former competitive self.
The wrist issue has been a lingering problem for Spieth since it first surfaced in late 2017 or early 2018. Despite persistent discomfort, he continued to compete, demonstrating his determined spirit. However, the situation took a turn for the worse in May of last year when a severe wrist dislocation occurred. The incident, which he describes as a poolside mishap involving his son, forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament.
Complications only compounded throughout 2024. By February, Spieth had experienced approximately 20 wrist dislocations, each episode further affecting his game. His iron play, in particular, suffered noticeably. The frequent dislocations almost forced him to withdraw from the John Deere Classic. Despite these challenges, Spieth initially opted to push through the season, but it became evident that mere rest wouldn't be enough to resolve the issue.
"It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," explained Spieth about his choice to undergo surgery rather than continue battling through the pain.
Spieth revealed that he almost opted for surgery back in July but chose to see through the season against his better judgment. The impact of his condition wasn't just physical; the effect on his swing, consistency, and overall performance weighed heavily on his mind. "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," he shared. "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.'"
The decision to finally have the surgery was solidified after a long conversation with his caddie, Michael Greller. Spieth recalls texting Greller one night, saying, "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."
Leading up to the procedure, Spieth sought advice from various athletes who have undergone similar surgeries. Their words provided hope and much-needed perspective. Reflecting on those conversations, Spieth shared, "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."
Despite the challenging road ahead, Spieth remains optimistic about his recovery. His current plan is to start hitting balls again by November 2024, although he acknowledges that participating in any events before the end of the year is unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he admitted. The focus now is on a thorough and patient recovery, ensuring he comes back stronger in the future.
In reflecting on the quality of care he received from his medical team, Spieth expressed confidence and gratitude, stating, "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." He's cautiously optimistic that, "In due time, it should be better than it was before."
Spieth's resilience and optimistic outlook are crucial as he embarks on this recovery journey. The golf world will undoubtedly be eagerly watching his progress, hoping to see him return to the game he loves, reinvigorated and physically sound, in 2025.