In his first public appearance since undergoing wrist surgery in late August, three-time major champion Jordan Spieth shared his optimism about returning to peak performance by the start of 2025. Spieth participated in the inaugural Crush It! Cup youth golf tournament, held at Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas, where he honed his golfing skills as a young player.
Despite a frustrating season in 2024 that ended with a premature exit from the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Spieth is focused on making a strong comeback after his recovery.
Spieth, who first revealed his wrist issues before the 2023 PGA Championship, experienced ongoing discomfort, which led him to withdraw from the Byron Nelson event in his hometown of Dallas. Despite efforts to manage the injury throughout the 2024 season, he decided surgery was necessary as it began affecting his daily life at home. “It was impacting my ability to do simple things like picking up my daughter or putting on a sweatshirt,” Spieth said. “I didn’t want it to continue, and it wasn’t going to heal on its own, so surgery became inevitable.”
Reflecting on his absence from competitive golf and the upcoming Presidents Cup, Spieth admitted that while it stung to be on the sidelines, he understood it was for the best. He expressed admiration for Jim Furyk’s team but emphasized the importance of focusing on his rehabilitation. “I’ve missed a Presidents Cup before, and it’s tough. But given my current physical state, I wouldn’t have any business being there this time around.”
When asked about his mental state during recovery, Spieth was candid about the process of regaining full mobility and strength in his left wrist. He’s using this time away from the course to not only rest but also fine-tune aspects of his game, particularly his short game. “I’ll be able to mold things, improve mechanics that have been off, and get my swing back to where it needs to be,” he said.
Spieth has been keeping busy off the course, enjoying time with his young children, aged three and one. “It’s been a unique opportunity to spend more time with my kids, although I’ve had to pawn off some tasks like diaper changes,” he joked. This time at home has also deepened his respect for single parents, as he now has a firsthand understanding of the challenges of raising children while balancing other responsibilities.
Looking ahead, Spieth has set a clear goal to be “tournament-ready” by January 1, 2025. He emphasized that he’s not just aiming to return but to perform at his best. “I’ll wait until it feels the same before I come back, and when I do, I’ll expect to play at my ceiling,” he confidently stated.
Despite the uncertainty of his recovery timeline, Spieth has taken solace in conversations with fellow professional athletes who have undergone similar surgeries and returned to form. With his dedication to the rehabilitation process and his positive outlook, Spieth is determined to make 2025 a year of renewed success.
