Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Sportblog
Jordan Spieth finished nine-over par at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, placing near the bottom of the 70-player field and falling short of the top-10 finish required for advancement.
The American, who initially injured his left wrist 16 months ago before the 2023 PGA Championship, has tried various treatments to avoid surgery. Spieth now faces surgery to repair a torn sheath in his wrist that holds the tendon in place.
“The surgery needs to happen as soon as possible,” Spieth stated. He added that recovery is expected to take about three months, with physical therapy beginning after six weeks. “I’ll take it as slowly as necessary,” he said.
This marks Spieth’s second consecutive year failing to advance past the first round of the FedEx Cup. He was ranked No. 100 in 2020, but now, with only the top 70 qualifying for the postseason, he needed a top-10 finish to progress but ended up tied for 68th.
Starting the 2023 season with five top-six finishes, Spieth’s performance has declined since his wrist injury, with only four top-six finishes thereafter. Previously ranked No. 10 in the world, he entered the St. Jude Championship at No. 43 and has missed the cut eight times this year out of 21 tournaments.
Spieth described this year as the most frustrating of his career, acknowledging the difficulty of balancing his physical issues with professional expectations. He remains hopeful that addressing his wrist issue will lead to a stronger comeback.
Spieth also noted his frustration with his driving performance, despite ranking 13th in that category. He has not yet scheduled his surgery but is considering requesting an exemption to the Hero World Challenge in early December, depending on his recovery.
Spieth’s involvement with the PGA Tour board and the challenges of the past year have compounded his difficulties. Despite setbacks, he remains focused on regaining his form and improving his game.