Jordan Spieth's 2024 Season Cut Short by Wrist Surgery
Jordan Spieth announced that his 2024 season has come to a premature end following surgery on his left wrist. The star golfer disclosed that the surgery was necessary due to a persistent wrist issue he's battled for several years. This long-standing problem, which began in late 2017 or early 2018, culminated in a series of unfortunate dislocations, severely affecting his gameplay this year.
Spieth's journey through his wrist struggles reached a turning point in May of last year when a poolside incident with his son led to a severe dislocation. This incident forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament the following week. Reflecting on the situation, Spieth admitted that it wasn't just a one-off incident. Since February 2024, Spieth experienced approximately 20 wrist dislocations, which significantly hindered his iron play throughout the season. The discomfort and instability were so intense that he nearly had to withdraw from the John Deere Classic.
The decision to undergo surgery was not taken lightly. Despite enduring persistent pain and discomfort, Spieth had hoped that rest would suffice to heal his wrist. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," he explained.
Spieth nearly opted for surgery back in July but chose to push through the season, trying to manage the discomfort as best as he could. "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," he said.
The golfer's commitment to his game amidst the pain is evident in his reflection on 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. 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 the setback, Spieth remains optimistic about his recovery and future in the sport. He has consulted numerous athletes across various sports who have undergone similar surgeries. Drawing on their experiences, he shared, "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."
Looking ahead, Spieth anticipates starting to hit balls again by November 2024. However, the possibility of playing any events in December seems slim. As he puts it, "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch."
His journey through this injury has not only been a physical battle but also an emotional one. Spieth acknowledged that the injury's impact extended beyond the physical pain. The disruptions to his game and the constant adaptation to his discomfort took a toll on his mental game.
The surgeon’s enthusiasm about Spieth's recovery potential also provided a much-needed boost of confidence. "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, demonstrating his trust in the medical advice he’s received.
Jordan Spieth's determination and resilience throughout his wrist ordeal underscore his dedication to golf. With his focus now on rehabilitation and recovery, Spieth aims to return to the sport better and stronger. As he aptly noted, "In due time, it should be better than it was before."