Jordan Spieth's Prolonged Wrist Woes Set to Sideline Him Through 2024
In a disappointing revelation for golf enthusiasts worldwide, Jordan Spieth has announced that he will be out of action for the remainder of 2024 following surgery on his left wrist. The 30-year-old golfer has battled wrist issues for several years, a predicament that has increasingly hindered his performance on the PGA Tour.
“I talked to a lot of different players who've had similar operations and a lot of guys across different sports,” Spieth explained, reflecting on his decision to undergo surgery. “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's brush with wrist complications dates back to late 2017 or early 2018, yet he has managed to compete despite persistent discomfort. The matter came to a head in May of last year, following a severe wrist dislocation triggered by a poolside incident involving his son. This incident forced Spieth to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week. Since February 2024, he has suffered approximately 20 wrist dislocations, which significantly impacted his iron play throughout the season.
His injury woes nearly caused him to withdraw from the John Deere Classic, further emphasizing the severity of his condition. The necessity for surgical intervention became evident. “It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this,” Spieth revealed. Despite his resolve to play through the pain, Spieth admitted that his performance was far from his best. “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.'”
His decision to undergo surgery wasn't taken lightly. Spieth almost opted for the procedure in July but chose to persevere through the 2024 season. However, the frequent dislocations and the subsequent toll on his performance made it clear that surgery was the only viable path forward. “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.'”
Looking ahead, Spieth is optimistic about his recovery trajectory. He anticipates beginning to hit balls again by November 2024, though playing any events in December seems improbable at this stage. “Playing any events in December feels like a stretch,” he acknowledged. Still, he remains hopeful about a full recovery and is committed to following his rehabilitation regimen diligently.
Reflecting on the gravity of his situation, Spieth candidly admitted that the ordeal had affected him beyond physical pain. “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.” Despite the challenges, Spieth is encouraged by his surgeon's optimism and the success stories of other athletes who have undergone similar procedures. “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 noted with a hopeful tone. “In due time, it should be better than it was before.”
Spieth's fans and peers alike will undoubtedly miss his presence on the tour in the coming months. His resilience and dedication to overcoming his injury should serve as an inspiration, exemplifying the indomitable spirit of a true sportsman. As he focuses on his recovery, the golf world eagerly awaits his return, hopeful that the surgery will bring Spieth back to the peak of his game in 2025.