Jordan Spieth, the three-time major champion, has confirmed that he will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery on his left wrist. The 30-year-old golfer revealed that he has struggled with this wrist issue for several years, dating back to late 2017 or early 2018. Despite the persistent discomfort, Spieth continued to compete, but the situation reached a breaking point earlier this year.
A Persistent Struggle
The wrist complications came to a head in May 2023 when Spieth suffered a severe dislocation during a poolside incident with his son. This injury forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament, and it marked the beginning of an increasingly challenging period for the golfer. His iron play suffered significantly throughout the 2024 season, and Spieth experienced approximately 20 wrist dislocations since February of this year.
Reflecting on the injury, Spieth said, "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this."
Tough Decisions
The decision to undergo surgery was not an easy one for Spieth. Initially, he nearly opted for surgery in July but chose to push through the rest of the season. Ultimately, the constant issues and the impact on his game made the choice clear.
"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 recounted.
Impact Beyond Physical Pain
Spieth acknowledged that the injury's toll extended beyond just physical pain. It created significant mental and emotional stress, affecting his performance and mindset.
"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," Spieth admitted. "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.'"
Recovery and Optimism
Despite the setback, Spieth remains optimistic about his recovery and future prospects. He has consulted with numerous athletes who have undergone similar surgeries and draws encouragement from their experiences.
"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.
Looking ahead, Spieth plans to start hitting balls again in November 2024. However, he concedes that participating in any events in December is unlikely.
"Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he noted.
Through this challenging journey, Spieth has remained hopeful and focused on returning stronger in 2025. He aims to put this chapter behind him and continue competing at the highest level.
"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 with a hint of optimism. "In due time, it should be better than it was before."
Spieth's resilience and determination are evident as he navigates this difficult period in his illustrious career. Fans and fellow athletes alike await his comeback, eager to see him reclaim his place among the elite in the golfing world.