How Bad Is Jordan Spieth’s Wrist Damage? Is His PGA Championship Appearance at Risk?
Injuries are not new to an athlete’s life. Jordan Spieth would agree, especially when he has sported the same ‘recurring’ wrist injury for a while now. The American pro even nearly withdrew from the recently ended RBC Heritage during the first round of the tournament after aggravating the same after which he managed to finish the event at T39. With almost three weeks passing after the close call, many fans would surely be curious as to whether his injury would risk his appearance at the upcoming major, the PGA Championship.
It’s natural to have such a concern. However, worry not, since the golfer has confirmed his commitment to the Wells Fargo Championship, painting a hopeful picture regarding his health. But it’s not as if the injury will let him remain unaffected during the contest, or even the major for that matter!
The 30-year-old suffered an ulnar nerve injury in his left wrist back in 2023, at the PGA Championship due to which his hand’s condition has been plaguing him since then. Consequently, as a byproduct of the same, the sub-sheath of the extensor tendon on the back of his wrist became partially torn leading his ECU tendon to be dislocated and come out at times, causing much pain and discomfort. A similar situation had happened at the Harbour Town Golf Links as well.
“It’s a come-and-go thing,” disclosed Jordan Spieth before adding, “I could oddly enough twist in the wrong way getting off the ground, and I couldn’t play tomorrow. But I could play the next day.” He also mentioned how it was fine when starting the round on Thursday, but when he reached hole 14, the tendon popped out and went right back in. “I thought I was done for the week,” confessed the pro. Thus, his current condition, which is neither better nor worse, coupled with the fact that he is gearing up for the event at the Quail Hollow Golf and Country Club, does indicate his determination to play at the PGA Championship as well, especially when it would help the 3-time major champ complete his career grand slam.
Even so, one can’t deny that his performances have taken a hit. Out of his last six starts, he has missed the cut a total of four times, including the Masters Tournament and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. That’s not all. Owing to his recent finishes, the golfer has managed to drop out of the top-20 in the Official World Golf Rankings in almost three years. The 13-time PGA Tour champ was at No.15 when he teed off at the Sentry and is currently at No.21 on the board.
Jordan Spieth out of top 20 for the first time in almost three years… #OWGR
— Nosferatu (@VC606) May 6, 2024
At any rate, with the golfer having a packed schedule, it becomes harder for Spieth’s hand to heal. Especially so when he himself admitted that surgery was not an option. What he needs instead is rest and regular therapy.
What can Spieth do to heal his injury?
“I’d probably be advised to take more than one (week) in order for it to really get helped,” admitted the 30-year-old Spieth on Tuesday ahead of the Byron Nelson before adding, “but it’s one of those things like I’m not doing further damage is my understanding. It’s just management until I can figure out exactly what maybe solves the problem.” With the PGA Championship after the Wells Fargo, followed by two more majors and then the Olympics, it seems the golfer will not be able to find some time to rest and heal completely.
Jordan Spieth also mentioned how it has helped him treat the symptoms and prevent recurring issues for a while before pointing out how being unable to do so made it worse; “I’m doing a lot of stuff off the course, therapy side, whether it’s treating the tendon to treating the nerve in general… I kind of maybe got a little bit away from it as I got into a heavier stretch of golf the last eight weeks so I had a couple instances that weren’t good.” It seems the athlete is doing all that he can while hoping for things to get better in due time. One can only hope he is able to heal as quickly as possible.
