Jordan Spieth's Journey to Recovery: A Wrist Injury Timeline
In a candid announcement, Jordan Spieth revealed that he expects to be sidelined for the remainder of 2024 after undergoing surgery on his left wrist. This decision comes after battling a persistent wrist issue that has plagued him for years, starting around late 2017 or early 2018. The injury reached a critical point following a severe dislocation in May of last year due to an unfortunate poolside incident with his son.
Despite the discomfort, Spieth did not let the injury keep him from competing. He notably withdrew from last year’s Byron Nelson tournament shortly after the incident and continued to contend with around 20 more wrist dislocations since February 2024. One such incident nearly forced him out of the John Deere Classic.
"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 shared. His decision to undergo surgery came after realizing that rest alone wouldn't remedy his condition. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," Spieth added.
Choosing Surgery over Short-Term Fixes
Spieth’s iron play was significantly affected throughout the 2024 season. The repeated dislocations and pain hampered his performance and led to an internal struggle about whether to continue playing or opt for surgery. "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," he reflected, revealing how the injury had been a constant shadow over his career.
Spieth almost considered surgery in July but decided to persevere through the season. However, the cumulative impact of the injury and the physical toll ultimately led him to prioritize his long-term health over immediate competition. As he put it, "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.'"
Hopeful for the Future
Despite these challenges, Spieth remains optimistic about his recovery and future prospects. He has been in conversation with various athletes who have undergone similar surgeries. Their positive outlooks have been a source of encouragement. "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.
Spieth expects to start hitting balls again in November 2024, though he sees playing any events in December as unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he confirmed. Despite this, Spieth is hopeful that with the right rehabilitation and patience, he will return stronger. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he stated confidently.
This optimism is further bolstered by his surgeon's confidence. "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 mentioned, shedding light on the expertise and assurance provided by his medical team.
The impact of the injury extends beyond physical pain for Spieth, highlighting the mental and emotional resilience required to continue at the highest level of golf. As he steps away to focus on recovery, Spieth’s journey offers a poignant reflection on the challenges elite athletes face and the determination required to overcome them. His story will be one to watch as he aims to make a successful comeback in 2025, with hopes of leaving his wrist issues firmly in the past.