Jordan Spieth’s 2024 season has come to an early and unexpected end. The talented golfer, who has been a household name since bursting onto the scene in the early 2010s, announced that he will be out for the remainder of the year following surgery on his left wrist.
The wrist troubles have plagued Spieth for years, beginning around late 2017 or early 2018. Despite persistent discomfort, Spieth continued to compete, often defying the pain to maintain his place among the sport's elite. However, the issue took a severe turn in May of last year when a poolside incident with his son resulted in a dramatic dislocation of his wrist. This incident forced Spieth to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week and set the stage for a challenging 2024 season.
Deciding on Surgery
Spieth revealed that he had approximately 20 wrist dislocations since February 2024, severely impacting his iron play and overall performance. The frustration culminated when Spieth almost had to withdraw from the John Deere Classic due to another dislocation. It became evident that rest alone would not remedy his condition, leading to the decision to undergo surgery.
In his own words, Spieth explained the turning point: "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this." Initially, Spieth had considered surgery in July but opted to push through the season instead. His persistence, however, only underscored the severity of the issue.
Spieth shared an intense moment of realization with his caddie Michael Greller: "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.'"
The Road to Recovery
Now, with the surgery behind him, Spieth is on the path to recovery. He anticipates being able to start hitting balls again by November 2024, although returning to competition by December seems unlikely. Spieth remains hopeful about his recovery, looking forward to resuming his career in 2025. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he noted realistically.
The psychological toll of the injury has been as significant as the physical pain. Spieth admitted that the injury's impact extended beyond simple discomfort: "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.'
Spieth has been proactive in seeking advice and support from other athletes who have undergone similar procedures. Their insights have provided him with optimism and perspective. "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."
A Glimmer of Optimism
Spieth’s decision to undergo surgery was met with confidence by his medical team, inspiring a sense of optimism for the future. "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 shared.
This year's trials have not dimmed Spieth's outlook. As he moves through recovery, he holds onto the hope that his wrist will eventually be better than it was before. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," Spieth said, a testament to his resilient spirit.
As the golfing world takes in the news of Spieth's hiatus, there's a collective hope that one of its brightest stars will soon return to form, ready to reclaim his place among the sport’s best. For now, Spieth remains focused on his recovery, buoyed by the support of his peers and the promise of a pain-free future.