Jordan Spieth, one of golf's brightest stars, has announced he expects to be sidelined for the entirety of 2024 due to surgery on his left wrist. The decision comes after enduring years of persistent wrist issues that began in late 2017 or early 2018, problems that culminated in numerous dislocations and significant impacts on his game.
Spieth's troubles with his wrist accelerated dramatically following a severe dislocation in May last year that occurred during a poolside incident with his son. The injury forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the subsequent week. Far from an isolated occurrence, Spieth experienced approximately 20 wrist dislocations since February 2024. These repeated injuries disrupted his season, notably affecting his iron play and causing significant discomfort.
Deciding on Surgery
While Spieth managed to push through most of the 2024 season, the realization that rest alone wouldn't resolve his condition led him to opt for surgery. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," he stated. There was a moment in July when Spieth nearly decided to undergo the surgery but chose to soldier on through the rest of the season.
Spieth's struggles were not just physical but also mental, leading him to acknowledge the broader impact of the injury. "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,'" he explained.
A Grueling Decision
The turning point came when Spieth texted his caddie, Michael Greller, late one night: "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 persistent and debilitating nature of the injury had finally reached an unavoidable tipping point.
Spieth's decision to go under the knife wasn't taken lightly. He consulted various athletes who had undergone similar surgeries, seeking their advice and insight. "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.
Optimism for Recovery
Despite the daunting prospect of a year away from the sport he loves, Spieth remains hopeful about his recovery and 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 remarked, highlighting his confidence in the expertise of his medical team.
His immediate goals include beginning to hit balls again by November 2024. However, he plans to take a cautious approach to fully returning to competition, addressing the possibility of competing in December as "a stretch." Ultimately, Spieth is focused on a careful and thorough recovery process to ensure he can return to peak performance in 2025. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he said, reflecting his positive outlook on the surgery's long-term benefits.
As Spieth embarks on this challenging journey of recovery, his resilience and determination will undoubtedly be the driving forces behind his return to competitive golf. Fans and fellow players alike will be eagerly anticipating his comeback, hopeful that the months ahead will bring Spieth back stronger and pain-free.