Jordan Spieth confirms he will undergo wrist surgery ‘ASAP’, to treat long-term injury

Jordan Spieth has closed his 2024 season following a suboptimal performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. This outcome coincides with a significant announcement: Spieth will undergo surgical intervention to address a persistent wrist injury that has persisted for 16 months. Despite multiple attempts to avoid an invasive treatment, the condition has deteriorated, necessitating this difficult decision.

Jordan Spieth’s injury and the decision to undergo surgery

Jordan Spieth sustained an injury to his left wrist, specifically a tear in the tendon sheath, one week prior to the commencement of the 2023 PGA Championship. Subsequently, he has been experiencing discomfort that has impacted not only his performance on the course but also his ability to practice.

Due to the unpredictable nature of the injury, he was unable to train for more than 24 consecutive hours without experiencing debilitating pain on occasion.

After unsuccessful attempts at treatment and multiple consultations with specialists, Jordan Spieth ultimately decided to proceed with surgery.

“I’ve got to have it operated on ASAP, and then I’ll go through the process of what I’m supposed to do from there,” Jordan Spieth said after Sunday’s disappointment. “If I don’t have a reason to try to rush back – which I don’t – I’ll probably just take it as slow as I can.”

Surgery, Recovery and Physical Therapy

The surgical procedure that Jordan Spieth plans to undergo is estimated to require a recovery period of approximately three months, with the commencement of physical therapy scheduled for approximately six weeks post-procedure.

Although Spieth has expressed some uncertainty and trepidation about the intervention, he has also articulated a sense of clarity and optimism that he can return to the field with enhanced strength.

The time off Jordan Spieth will take after surgery will be crucial to his recovery. With his season now over and no immediate pressure to return, Spieth plans to take the necessary time to ensure his wrist fully recovers before competing again.

“There’s also some uncertainty, and so it’s a little scary. But also, if I can learn to find some patience — which I’m not very good at doing — then I think I could come back stronger” he said.

Jordan Spieth’s Injury History

Jordan Spieth has encountered a number of physical challenges throughout his career, but this wrist injury is the most significant and persistent one he has faced to date. Prior to this injury, Spieth was in excellent form, with five top-six finishes at the start of the 2023 season.

However, the injury marked a turning point in his performance, resulting in his withdrawal from the Byron Nelson and a subsequent decline in his world ranking.

Since sustaining the injury to his wrist, Jordan Spieth has experienced difficulties in restoring his previous level of performance. While he did not make excuses, he acknowledged that his wrist did not hurt when hitting, yet his results remained consistently below his usual standard.

His world ranking declined from 10th to 43rd, and he was unable to progress to the final stages of the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the second time in his career.

Despite the challenges of the past year, Spieth remains optimistic about his future and confident that surgery will allow him to regain his competitive level. The road to recovery will be lengthy and arduous, but Spieth is prepared to confront it with the same resolve he has demonstrated throughout his career.

Jordan Spieth’s decision to undergo surgery marks the conclusion of a challenging season and the advent of a new phase in his professional journey. While he has not yet established a specific timeline for his return, it is evident that Spieth is committed to doing whatever is necessary to achieve a full recovery and resume his golf career in the best possible condition.

Spieth’s decision marks the end of a difficult season, but also the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Although he has no set timetable for his return, it is clear that Spieth is focused on doing everything he can to make a full recovery and return to golf in the best possible condition.