**Gw:** You’re known for playing with confidence and creativity. Has the wrist injury affected you mentally over the past year? Can you walk us through your mindset while dealing with this injury?
**Jordan Spieth:** It’s been tough to measure, which is why I didn’t address it sooner. The pain was sporadic and didn’t always affect my swing, so it was hard to pinpoint. But my subconscious may have been making adjustments during my swing that weren’t helpful. The main reason I decided to get surgery was that it began affecting my everyday life. Sometimes, my wrist would dislocate randomly—when getting my daughter out of the bath or putting on a sweatshirt. It became frequent and unpredictable, and doctors confirmed it wouldn’t heal on its own. So, I opted for surgery not just for my golf career but also to get back to activities like shooting basketballs or playing with my kids. Post-surgery, I’m feeling more confident knowing the issue is being resolved.
**GW:** You’ve been a key player in previous Presidents Cups, but this year you’re on the outside. How has that felt, given your history with the tournament?
**Spieth:** I missed the one in Australia back in 2019 or 2020, and I remember how tough that was—it was really hard to sit out. At that time, my game wasn’t in a place where I felt I deserved to be there. This year, it’s a bit different, but it still stings. It’s extremely difficult to make those teams; you have to be one of the top 12 Americans consistently. I think Jim Furyk has assembled an incredible team, and I’ve spoken with him multiple times about possibly being involved, but with the stage of my physical therapy, it’s best for me to stay home and watch.
**GW:** You’ve bounced back before after hitting rough patches in your career. Do you think this break could be what you need to return even stronger?
**Spieth:** I do. I’m viewing this as a great opportunity for a mental and physical reset. While I’m recovering, I’m focusing on what I can do to stay sharp, like improving my mechanics. It’s like being “wet concrete”—I can mold things to fix areas where I’ve struggled. My first priority is regaining mobility, then strength. Once I can swing again, I expect things to feel different as I regain strength in my left hand. It might take longer than expected to be tournament-ready, but I’m patient and happy with the progress.
**GW:** The PGA Tour has gone through some changes lately. How do you feel about the current state of the tour?
**Spieth:** The top players have benefitted significantly, but the current scenario isn’t sustainable. It’s a complex situation involving multiple parties, including the government and two tours, so it’s not something that can be resolved quickly. I’ve been involved in the process and understand the frustration from the outside, but it’s just going to take time for everything to work out.
**GW:** While recovering from surgery, what have you been up to since you’ve had more downtime?
**Spieth:** I had surgery in Colorado and stayed there for a few weeks before returning home. With a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, it’s been pretty busy. People ask if I’m going crazy with all the free time, but honestly, I haven’t had much of it. I’m embracing the time I get to spend with my kids, even though I can only do about half of what I normally would. I’ve had to pass off diaper duty and some other tasks that require two hands. I’ve always been an involved dad, and I love that. But this experience has given me a newfound respect for single parents—it’s tough work but also the most rewarding.
**GW:** When do you expect to be ready to return to competitive golf?
**Spieth:** My goal is to be tournament-ready by January 1, 2025. By that, I mean not just testing things out but playing at my full potential. I’ll focus on my short game while I recover since I can’t swing yet, and I’ll aim to have that dialed in before returning to full practice. The timeline for my return depends on how quickly my mobility and strength come back, but based on my age and progress so far, I’m optimistic. I’ve spoken to several golfers, tennis players, and baseball players who’ve had similar surgeries and made successful comebacks. There’s always concern about whether things will feel the same, but I’m not returning until I’m confident they do.
