Jordan Spieth to Miss 2024 Season Following Wrist Surgery
Jordan Spieth, an elite figure in the world of golf, has announced that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season. The decision comes in the wake of surgery on his left wrist, a nagging issue that has plagued him for several years. The wrist problems began to surface in late 2017 or early 2018, and despite the persistent discomfort, Spieth continued to compete at the highest level, a testament to his resilience and determination.
However, the turning point came in May of last year when Spieth suffered a severe wrist dislocation during a poolside incident with his son. The injury forced him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament, marking the beginning of a challenging period in his career. Remarkably, by February 2024, Spieth had endured approximately 20 dislocations of his wrist, severely impacting his iron play throughout a trying season.
"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 revealed, illustrating the severity of his condition. His struggle reached a point where merely resting the injury was no longer a viable solution, prompting him to opt for surgery.
Reluctant to make excuses, Spieth admitted, "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." Despite the escalating pain and complications, Spieth courageously pushed through the 2024 season. Yet, there were moments when the discomfort nearly derailed him, such as almost pulling out of the John Deere Classic due to another wrist dislocation.
His decision to finally undergo surgery was driven by the realization that the injury was not going to heal on its own. "It was something that couldn't fix itself with rest, unfortunately. So that's why I ended up having to do this," Spieth explained, a choice that underscores his commitment to regaining full fitness.
The expected rehabilitation period means that Spieth will start hitting balls again in November 2024, an optimistic timeline yet unlikely to see him play any competitive events in December. "Playing any events in December feels like a stretch," he conceded.
Beyond the physical pain, Spieth highlighted how the injury had a broader impact, influencing his mental focus and overall performance on the course. "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.'" His self-reflection sheds light on the internal battle he faced while striving to maintain his competitive edge.
Spieth has sought advice from various athletes who have undergone similar surgeries, fostering a sense of hope and assurance for what lies ahead. "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, echoing the optimism that propels him through this challenging phase.
While it's daunting to navigate the recovery process, Spieth remains resolute. "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," he remarked, showcasing his trust in the experts guiding his recuperation. With seasoned patience and dedicated rehab, Spieth anticipates a full recovery, optimistic about returning stronger in the 2025 season. "In due time, it should be better than it was before," he said, concluding with a note of hopeful resilience that his fans and the golf world at large eagerly share.