Jordan Spieth's 2024 season has come to an early end as the pro golfer announced his decision to undergo surgery on his left wrist. The procedure has come after years of struggling with an issue that began in late 2017 or early 2018. Ever the competitor, Spieth had continued to play through persistent discomfort, but a series of events in 2023 and 2024 have necessitated a more decisive intervention.
Spieth's wrist problem took a dramatic turn in May of last year, when a poolside incident with his son resulted in a severe wrist dislocation. This injury forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week. Unfortunately, the dislocation was not an isolated incident. Since February 2024, Spieth has suffered approximately 20 wrist dislocations, significantly impacting his iron play throughout the season.
The tipping point came when Spieth almost withdrew from the John Deere Classic due to another wrist dislocation. "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.
Despite initially considering surgery in July, Spieth opted to push through the season, hoping that rest might suffice. However, he eventually had to accept that rest alone would not remedy the condition. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," he explained. The decision wasn't easy as Spieth had initially hoped to avoid surgery and correct the issue with rest and rehab.
Spieth's persistent wrist pain went beyond physical discomfort, affecting his performance and outlook. "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,'"
Looking towards recovery, Spieth is tentatively planning to start hitting balls again in November 2024. However, competing in any events in December remains unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," Spieth admitted, acknowledging the patience needed for a full recovery.
Spieth has sought advice from fellow athletes who have undergone similar surgeries, which has reinforced his hopes for a successful comeback. "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 also expressed optimism about the surgery's potential to improve his condition. "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, reflecting on his discussions with medical professionals. "In due time, it should be better than it was before."
As Spieth steps back from the game to prioritize his health, fans and fellow athletes alike are hopeful for his full recovery and eventual return to the sport he loves. His resilience and positive outlook embody the spirit of an athlete who, despite setbacks, remains committed to coming back stronger.