Jordan Spieth, one of golf's most recognizable names, has announced he will be sidelined for the remainder of 2024 due to a surgery on his left wrist, a long-standing issue dating back several years.
Spieth has been grappling with wrist problems since late 2017 or early 2018. Despite the persistent discomfort, he continued to compete at the highest level. However, a severe wrist dislocation in May of last year, caused by a poolside incident involving his son, exacerbated the issue. This injury forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week.
Over the past year, his wrist condition deteriorated further, with approximately 20 dislocations occurring since February 2024. The injury significantly affected his iron play throughout the season, almost forcing him to withdraw from the John Deere Classic.
Initially, Spieth hoped that rest would suffice. "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 nearly opted for surgery in July but decided to push through the season. The severity of the dislocations led him to finally undergo the operation, as rest alone was no longer a viable solution.
The impact of the injury extended beyond physical pain. Spieth described a particular moment of frustration when he texted his caddie Michael Greller, 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." The decision to have surgery stemmed from a realization that his performance was being consistently compromised.
Spieth is expected to start hitting balls again in November 2024, although participating in any events in December seems far-fetched. He looks forward to a full recovery and a return to competitive play in 2025. "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," he shared. The physical toll of the injury was accompanied by an element of mental strain, influencing his performance on the course.
Optimism surrounds his recovery, bolstered by conversations with other athletes who have undergone similar surgeries. "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 mentioned. Spieth added, "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."
Reflecting on how the injury has altered his play, Spieth confessed, "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." His enforced hiatus will be a period of recuperation and recalibration as he aims to return stronger, both physically and mentally.
While his absence from the remainder of the 2024 season is a significant blow to fans and tournaments alike, Spieth's commitment to recovery is unwavering. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he admitted, but he remains hopeful for a fresh start in the new year. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he concluded.
Jordan Spieth’s resilience and determination amid this challenging period underscore his dedication to the sport. His journey through injury and recovery will be closely watched, as the golfing world eagerly anticipates his return to the fairways in 2025.