Jordan Spieth makes unsurprising announcement after PGA Tour season ends
Jordan Spieth has recently announced that he will undergo wrist surgery following an unremarkable end to his PGA Tour season. This development comes after Spieth’s early exit from the FedExCup playoffs, concluding his participation at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
Spieth, a three-time major champion, struggled throughout the tournament and ultimately finished with a 2-over 72 on the final day, ending up 68th out of 70 participants in the field. His performance at this high-profile event, which had a prize pool of $20 million, capped a frustrating season where he failed to secure a PGA Tour victory, was largely absent from contention in the majors, and missed seven cuts.
The wrist injury that has plagued Spieth for much of the season appears to have been a significant factor in his disappointing results. The issue first surfaced publicly when Spieth withdrew from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May due to the injury. Despite efforts to manage the discomfort and push through, the condition of his wrist clearly impacted his performance on the course. Spieth had previously suggested that surgery was a likely course of action, and he has now confirmed that he will proceed with the operation.
In an interview with Golf Digest, Spieth detailed what the procedure will involve and the expected recovery timeline. He noted that while the surgery is relatively common, the recovery process will require patience. “My understanding is that you could possibly chip and putt or putt after about eight weeks, but it will be around 12 weeks before you’re fully back to swinging. They say you should focus on rehab for six weeks, so the total time frame is about 12 weeks,” Spieth explained. He added that, if not pressed by any external deadlines, he plans to take a cautious approach to his recovery to ensure a full return to form.
Reflecting on his season, Spieth admitted that it has been one of the most frustrating years of his career. His struggle to perform consistently and the recurrent nature of his wrist issues compounded his challenges. “I tried to play as much as I could, hoping to push through to the next week and possibly make it to East Lake [the Tour Championship], but I kept encountering the same problems week after week,” Spieth said. “It’s been incredibly frustrating. This year has probably been the most challenging I’ve faced, not just because of the physical issues but also due to the additional responsibilities I carry as a player director on the Tour’s policy board. I put a lot on my own plate and faced some unfortunate circumstances as well.”
Spieth reflected on how his wrist injury impacted his performances, noting that while he managed to play through the pain, the consistency of his results was clearly affected. “I tried to justify my performances by saying that my wrist wasn’t hurting during my swing, but the results were consistently poor week after week,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Spieth is optimistic about the potential benefits of the surgery and is eyeing a return to competitive play at the Hero World Challenge, an event hosted by Tiger Woods, which takes place in December. “I’m hopeful that the surgery will address the issue,” Spieth said. “There’s a bit of uncertainty and some apprehension about the procedure, but I believe it will provide clarity. If I can learn to be patient, which is not my strong suit, I think I’ll come back stronger and more prepared.”
As Spieth prepares for this period of recovery, he is focused on making a full recovery and returning to his peak performance in the upcoming season. His commitment to addressing his injury and taking the necessary time for rehabilitation underscores his determination to overcome this challenging phase and continue his successful career in professional golf.
