Spieth Out for 2024: Wrist Surgery Ends Season
Renowned golfer Jordan Spieth has announced that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season following surgery on his left wrist, concluding a challenging period marred by persistent discomfort and performance-impairing injuries. Spieth's wrist trouble started to manifest between late 2017 and early 2018, culminating in a severe poolside incident last year that dislocated his wrist due to an accident involving his son.
Spieth's determination to compete despite chronic wrist issues has been notable. Nevertheless, his condition sharply declined this year, with approximately 20 dislocations since February 2024, leading to significant disruptions in his golfing calendar. The athlete's iron play was particularly affected, hampering his performance throughout the season. His struggle became increasingly apparent when he nearly withdrew from the John Deere Classic due to a dislocation.
In May of last year, a severe dislocation forced Spieth to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament. The injury, sustained in a seemingly innocuous poolside mishap, underscored the unpredictability and severity of his condition. Despite the severity, Spieth initially opted against surgery, choosing to persevere through the competitive season, though the decision eventually proved unsustainable.
Spieth opened up about his decision to undergo surgery, citing the necessity of intervention to address the persistent issue. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," he explained.
His caddie, Michael Greller, was well-aware of Spieth's ongoing struggle. "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, highlighting the acute nature of his symptoms.
By July, Spieth had nearly resolved to undergo surgery but pushed through the season instead, hoping to mitigate his discomfort through rest and physical adjustments. Unfortunately, these efforts proved inadequate. Reflecting on his persistent struggle, Spieth 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."
As the 2024 season unfolded, it became evident that Spieth's injury was taking a toll not only on his performance but also on his overall well-being. His candidness about the mental and physical impact of the wrist problem was a testament to the gravity of the situation. "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.'"
Despite these setbacks, Spieth remains optimistic about his recovery and future prospects. He anticipates resuming ball-hitting practice by November 2024. However, he has conceded that participating in any events in December 2024 is highly unlikely. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he admitted.
The surgery, performed by an experienced specialist, has provided a ray of hope for Spieth. "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 wryly noted, drawing on the expertise of his medical team for reassurance. He also leaned on the experiences of other athletes who had undergone similar procedures. "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."
As Spieth looks towards 2025 with hope, his resolve and realism are evident. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he said, balancing cautious optimism with the understanding of a long and diligent recovery ahead. With his eyes set on a full return, Spieth's journey through this challenging period underscores not just the physical rigors of professional sports but the resilience demanded of its athletes.