Jordan Spieth Hints at Offseason Wrist Surgery: ‘Going to Have to Do Something’ Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article290810799.html#storylink=cpy

Jordan Spieth has been dealing with a wrist issue for over a year and admitted on Tuesday that it will likely need to be addressed after the PGA Tour season concludes. The 31-year-old golfer, currently competing in the Wyndham Championship, stated that while he doesn’t experience pain when swinging the club, the injury might still be affecting his performance. His approach to the green stats are among the worst of his career.

“It’s been a frustrating year because it’s been maybe my best driving year ever, and then the clubs that I make the most impact into the ground with, which normally are my bread and butter, have been pretty off,” Spieth told reporters in Greensboro, N.C., ahead of the tournament. “It’s not hurting, but subconsciously it’s hard not to look at the numbers and think this isn’t a coincidence.”

Spieth has been consulting with various doctors and undergoing scans to determine the next steps. He revealed that his left wrist’s ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris) tendon regularly pops out, a condition that began during the Wells Fargo Championship last spring. Although he managed it for the rest of the year, it flared up again in the fall.

Despite a strong start to this year, Spieth has struggled, failing to secure any top-10 finishes in his last 17 events and not contending in any of the majors. Currently 63rd in the FedEx Cup standings, he is safe for the upcoming events for the top 70 but needs to improve his position to ensure a spot in the BMW Championship and the top 50 for all signature events next year.

“I’m going to pretend nothing’s happening, fully trust it given that I’ll be able to get it fixed, and I know there’s a lot of golfers that have had similar situations and come back better than ever,” Spieth said. “I like to think hopefully I have 10 to 15 years of prime and some of my best golf left, so I’ll be optimistic about the process.

“But I’m not quite sure exactly what I’ll do and where I’ll do it, but unfortunately something kind of has to get done. And I’ve never experienced anything like this before. Just trying to take my time making sure things are done right at the right time.”

Spieth noted the peculiarity of the condition, as he is generally pain-free until the tendon pops out. “I’m not in any pain playing, that’s what’s confusing,” he said. “If I was, I wouldn’t have played anymore. It’s all off the golf course weird little things where my tendon will kind of pop out, sublux or dislocate out of the groove and then I’ve got to get it back in or else I wouldn’t be able to grip a club.

If it’s a problem at all, I’m not withdrawing from an event. It’s a very weird scenario and one that’s been a little frustrating because I would have liked to have known this is the answer or this is the answer and just have to figure it out.”

When asked how long he’s been pain-free, Spieth responded: “Well, the whole time. I mean, I’m pain-free until it subluxes and then I’m very much in pain until I get it back.”

Spieth believes the condition won’t heal on its own, nor is he causing further damage. “When I’m hitting balls I’m not thinking about it, I’m not worried about it, but I just don’t know subconsciously, it’s too tough to measure if or if it’s not making a difference,” he said. “I have no pain excuses or there’s no reason to play if you feel like you’re going to play through pain or not be at your best.”