Ignoring Injury Concerns, Desperate Jordan Spieth Is Leaving No Stone Unturned to Recover From 2-Year Slump
Jordan Spieth will go back to his roots with hopes of ending a 24-month title drought. The 30-year-old, battered by niggling injuries and erratic form, has committed to the John Deere Classic this year. 11 years ago, the TPC Deere Run in Silvis handed Spieth his first PGA Tour victory. The three-time major champion last played the Quad City event in 2015. Spieth has two titles from his four outings at the John Deere Classic. Both came in a playoff.
In 2013, the Texas-born star bested Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a nail-biting five-hole playoff. Spieth started the round six shot behind the leader, but he shot a final round 65 that included a dramatic 44-foot hole-out from the bunker on the 72nd hole, forcing the three-way playoff. Spieth, 19, also became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour since Ralph Guldahl won the 1931 Santa Monica Open.
Two years later, Jordan Spieth once again returned to the podium in 2015, courtesy of another playoff victory. Welcoming the two-time winner, tournament director Andrew Lehman, said, “We are thrilled to have Jordan Spieth back at the John Deere Classic. Jordan is a favorite amongst Quad Citians and we expect thousands of them will be here to greet him and show their support.” Jordan Spieth said in a statement, “I am really looking forward to returning to the Quad Cities and playing in the John Deere Classic. TPC Deere Run holds special memories for me, professionally and personally, and I can’t wait to return with my family to relive many of them and pursue another win.”
Guess who’s back?!
Get your tickets to see 2X Champion, @JordanSpieth, back at the John Deere Classic!
Tickets -> https://t.co/jR8wvajD52 pic.twitter.com/AXI3a1jyDw
— John Deere Classic (@JDCLASSIC) June 18, 2024
Spieth’s form has hit the skid since the 2022 RBC Heritage triumph. From his 16 appearances so far, only three have the 30-year-old broken inside the top 10, the last of which came at the Valero Texas Open. It’s been a roller-coaster ride for the University of Texas alum, whose 2024 includes rounds of 65 as well as a shot to the roof of the clubhouse at TPC San Antonio. To make matters worse, his wrist injury has come back to haunt him time and again. Spieth knows the solution, but he can’t afford it.
Jordan Spieth has a ‘come-and-go’ wrist problem
Jordan Spieth’s wrist injury dates back to last May. Perhaps even before that, but at the PGA Championship, it came to the forefront as Spieth pulled out of the second major. The former Masters champion later confirmed he was suffering from an ulnar nerve injury. It’s easy for him to lift weights during training sessions, but then making a sandwich can trigger it.
Spieth revealed that surgery isn’t an option, rest is. And that’s what he can’t afford at the moment. The 30-year-old wanted to play in his regular rhythm, but that has been hard to come by on the course. At this year’s RBC Heritage, Jordan Spieth said, “When it pops up, instead of me being out for a month, I’m out for a day.” He admitted to PGATour.com that he wasn’t “giving it any time to heal right now.” It has dealt a body blow to his form.
Spieth has slipped from 15th in January to 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking. It’s also a double whammy for the three-time major winner. He doesn’t want to relax, but he can’t find his mojo back with the torn wrist sheath that doesn’t hold his tendon. Jordan Spieth will tee off at the Travelers Championship before moving to John Deere on July 4.
