In the face of ongoing injury woes, golfing sensation Jordan Spieth is grappling with the possibility of a less-than-ideal ‘new normal.’ As he gets ready to tee off at the Cognizant Classic, Spieth candidly admits that his wrist, the site of a recent surgical procedure, is causing continued concern.
Just prior to his fourth outing this season, Spieth conceded that his wrist was not yet back to its pre-surgery condition. “It’s not perfect. I’m not thrilled about how it feels when I wake up. It’s manageable by the time I have to play, but it’s not the ideal situation,” he revealed at a pre-tournament press conference. This update is certainly not what Spieth’s fans were hoping to hear, as expectations were high that he had put his wrist troubles behind.
Rewinding to February, before his 2025 season debut at Pebble Beach, Spieth confidently declared himself injury-free. However, the optimism was short-lived as he soon experienced a significant setback. He discussed this incident, “During the bunker shot on the first hole of Spyglass, my 10th, I experienced a jam in my wrist. It caused a temporary lock-up.” This revelation came after he concluded the first round at TPC Scottsdale.
From there, Spieth’s season has been akin to a rollercoaster ride. He made an impressive comeback with a T4 finish at the WM Phoenix Open, only to miss the cut at the Genesis Invitational. Just as he was hoping to regain his footing, the injury concerns reemerged. Spieth has been refreshingly honest about his struggle to strike a balance between rest and play. He stated, “I took six days off last week, but when I returned, the wrist felt worse. However, applying some pressure since it’s healed can sometimes actually loosen it up and alleviate the discomfort.”
With his trademark realism, Spieth has been consistently clear about his expectations. “I’m focused on the big picture. I don’t want to put undue pressure on a quick start. My priority is to regain my rhythm, considering this has been the longest hiatus between tournament rounds for me.”
So, how does this ongoing issue affect his prospects at the Cognizant Classic? Spieth, playing PGA National for the first time as a professional, is primarily focused on gaining tournament experience. His ultimate goal is to be ready for Augusta. He said, “I saw the West Coast games as an opportunity to assess my post-surgery condition. I had to skip the first month of the season as I wasn’t ready to participate in those events. It felt great to be back and even contend one week. Now, my aim is to play challenging golf courses, get into contention and see what I can improve by the time we get to Augusta.”
Despite his injury, Spieth is determined to not only return to his winning ways but also to simply compete. As he approaches the Cognizant Classic, the pressing question is – can he overcome the discomfort and make a mark?
Spieth’s journey back to form hasn’t been smooth, but his resilience is noteworthy. He recently confessed on The Smylie Show that he was playing at a level of a 4- to 6-handicap just two weeks before Pebble Beach. Yet, he remains optimistic, “The improvement in my game from then until now has been quite impressive, considering I started lower than I had since I was probably 9 [years old].”
Spieth’s appearance at the Cognizant Classic is strategic. He added this event to his schedule to avoid slipping outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings, a position he is not accustomed to. “Given my limited play this year and uncertainty about my future schedule, I’m playing catch-up. I’m not comfortable finishing outside the top 50 with the new system,” he explained.
Three years without victory is a long time for a player of Spieth’s caliber. Waiting is no longer an option. Can he seize the moment this week? Only time will tell. If he wishes to send a strong message that he’s still a force to reckon with, there couldn’t be a better time than now.
