Jordan Spieth's announcement that he will be out for the remainder of 2024 due to surgery on his left wrist marks a significant moment in his career. Having battled this wrist issue for several years, Spieth finally decided to undergo surgery, acknowledging that rest alone would not remedy his condition.
Spieth's wrist problems began in late 2017 or early 2018, and they have been a persistent source of discomfort ever since. Despite the ongoing pain, the golfer continued to compete, even though his performance was significantly affected, particularly in his iron play throughout the 2024 season.
A Severe Setback
The tipping point came in May of last year when Spieth suffered a severe wrist dislocation due to a poolside incident involving his son. The injury was serious enough to cause Spieth to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week. This incident was not an isolated one; since February 2024, Spieth has experienced approximately 20 wrist dislocations.
Reflecting on the severity of the situation, Spieth almost withdrew from the John Deere Classic due to another dislocation. Realizing that the injury would not heal on its own with rest, Spieth decided that surgery was the only viable solution. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," Spieth said.
The Decision for Surgery
Spieth contemplated surgery as early as July but chose to push through the season. When it became clear that the injury was affecting not just his game but also his overall well-being, he made the difficult decision to proceed with the operation. "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 recalled.
Understanding the impact of the injury goes beyond the physical pain. Spieth acknowledged that it led to multiple setbacks and frustrations throughout the season. "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 commented. The persistence of the problem over such an extended period eventually forced his hand.
Optimism Amid Challenges
Despite the challenges, Spieth remains hopeful about his recovery and is looking forward to resuming his career in 2025. He plans to start hitting balls again in November 2024, but playing any events in December seems unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," Spieth noted.
Spieth has also sought advice from fellow athletes who have undergone similar surgeries. Their encouragement has given him reason to be optimistic. "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.
The golfer expressed gratitude towards his surgeon, whose confidence in the procedure has given him a boost of morale. "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.
Spieth remains realistic yet hopeful, understanding the importance of patience and effective rehabilitation. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he stated, reflecting a blend of optimism and pragmatism.
As he looks ahead to his recovery and eventual return, Spieth's experience is a testament to the challenges athletes often face with injuries and the difficult decisions they must make to balance their health and careers.