“I thought I was done”: Spieth nearly withdrew from RBC with wrist injury
Jordan Spieth revealed that he almost withdrew from the RBC Heritage during his opening round after a tendon in his left wrist ‘popped out’ while playing a shot from the green side bunker on the 13th hole. Spieth lodged his wrist into the face of the bunker during his follow through which caused him to feel a popping sensation. “It’s a thing that’s recurring,” Spieth told PGATOUR.COM on Friday at Harbour Town Golf Links where $20m is on the line at the signature event.
“I was lucky because most times it comes out, and I can’t turn it (left), and so I would have been screwed. It’s the ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris) tendon. It came out and came right back in its groove. “On (hole) 14 yesterday, I thought I was done for the week,” Spieth continued. “Then (the tendon) came back in, and I was like, ‘alright I’m good.’” Spieth has been plagued by a persistent ulnar nerve injury and the three-time major winner says that was the cause of his pain on Thursday.
The Texan received treatment between his first and second round to ensure the tendon stayed in place. “Because my (wrist) sheath is torn, it doesn’t really hold (the tendon) in as well,” Spieth said. ”It’s one of those things, like it’s not affecting speed, anything like that. It’s just– managing it. So today it was just, with the tape the way it’s on, it’s going to inhibit (the tendon’s) ability to create any issues.
Spieth’s wrist was in good shape on Friday as he carded a four-under 68 to sit six shots off the pace on five-under and his left wrist will continue to be wrapped in tape throughout the weekend. “I may as well keep doing it,” he said. “I don’t really like wearing tape, just because, I don’t know, I feel like I’m going to play racquetball or something. I’ll do it the rest of the week, I’m sure, just to be sure.
“I know what the issue is, the problem is I’m not giving it any time to heal right now,” he said.
