Jordan Spieth’s 2024 season ended with an eventful 18th hole at the St Jude Championship on Aug 18, when he found the water twice before holing a 32-foot putt for double-bogey. Spieth will not qualify for the next leg of the FedExCup play-offs, and after his final round he confirmed that he plans to undergo surgery on his wrist “ASAP”.

The 31-year-old hinted early in August that surgery was likely because a tendon in his left wrist, while not causing him pain, would “pop out” at random, mostly when he is off the golf course. He originally injured the wrist in 2023.

Spieth needs a surgeon to “recreate the tendon sheath” to prevent future dislocations. “It’s relatively common,” he said on Aug 18. “I’ve talked to a lot of people. My understanding is it’s like you could maybe chip or putt after eight weeks, but after 12 weeks you kind of come back...

“I think it’s rehab after six, so I think they say 12 weeks. But 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.”

The three-time Major champion does not need to play this fall in order to retain his PGA Tour card. It is possible he will not return to competition until January. But after shooting a two-over 72 on Aug 18 at TPC Southwind, the world No. 43 was tied for 68th out of 70 golfers in the field and was projected to finish the season 66th in FedExCup points. Only the top 50 advance to the BMW Championship this week.

Spieth has 13 wins on the PGA Tour, but none since the RBC Heritage in April 2022. He began the 2024 season with a third-place showing at The Sentry and tied for sixth at the Phoenix Open, but he had only one more top-10 finish while missing seven cuts.

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 Injury

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.

The Impact on Spieth's Performance

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. This inconsistency has significantly hampered his ability to perform at his best on the golf course.

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.”

Spieth's Recovery and Return to the Golf Course

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.

A Long Road to Recovery

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.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Spieth

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.

This article first appeared on Almost Average Golf and was syndicated with permission.

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