Jordan Spieth, one of golf's most prominent figures, has announced an expected sabbatical from the sport following surgery on his left wrist. The surgery marks the culmination of years of persistent discomfort that began in late 2017 or early 2018, a situation Spieth bravely managed while continuing to compete at the highest levels.
Despite the chronic nature of his wrist issues, a particularly severe incident in May last year exacerbated the problem. Spieth dislocated his wrist in a poolside accident with his son, leading to a sudden withdrawal from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week. This was just the beginning of a series of complications. Over the past year, he has reportedly experienced around 20 wrist dislocations since February 2024, significantly affecting his performance on the tour.
A Season of Struggle
Spieth's iron play in the 2024 season was visibly hampered by this recurring injury. The discomfort nearly forced him to withdraw from the John Deere Classic, illustrating the severity of the situation. Speaking about his condition, Spieth remarked, "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."
The decision to undergo surgery was not taken lightly. Spieth revealed that resting alone wasn’t enough to resolve the persistent problem, saying, "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this." Initially, he considered surgery as early as July but chose to push through the season, albeit with noticeable struggles.
Looking Forward to Recovery
With the surgery now behind him, Spieth is setting his sights on recovery, although he acknowledges that the road ahead may be long. "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, echoing a sense of cautious optimism about his prognosis.
Despite the anticipated recovery period, which will keep him off the course for the remainder of 2024, Spieth is already planning his return. He expects to start hitting balls again by November 2024, though participation in December events remains unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he noted, acknowledging the realistic timeline for his recovery.
Consultations and Hope
Spieth’s journey through this ordeal has been marked by consultations with fellow athletes who have undergone similar surgeries. Their experiences have offered him hope 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," Spieth said, highlighting the support and advice he has received.
The mental and emotional toll of dealing with such a persistent injury has not been lost on Spieth. He acknowledged, "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." This introspection reveals the complexity of balancing professional aspirations with physical well-being.
In the face of these challenges, Spieth remains hopeful about his future in golf. He looks forward to resuming his career in 2025, aiming to recapture the form that made him a formidable force on the PGA Tour. The golfing world will undoubtedly be watching and waiting for his return, hoping to see Spieth back at his best.