Jordan Spieth is gearing up for his anticipated return to competitive golf at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after recently recovering from wrist surgery. This marks the conclusion of his longest hiatus from the sport, which he views as a valuable opportunity to reset and refine his approach to the game.
“I had developed some unfortunate habits over time,” Spieth shared during a phone interview. He noted that whether those habits resulted naturally or were influenced by his wrist issues, he is relieved to have moved past them. “Taking three months away from swinging has compelled me to come back and be like wet concrete,” he added, emphasizing the importance of starting fresh.
Spieth’s wrist troubles began in May 2023, stemming from an issue with the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon popping out of its sheath. He ultimately opted for surgery on August 21 in Colorado to repair this problem. Following the procedure, he faced a significant wait, spending nearly 12 weeks before he could even practice hitting balls, followed by an additional month until he played in a round.
He refrained from calling this process swing changes, instead referring to it as a revisitation to the fundamentals that originally defined his playing style. Speaking from Trinity Forest in Dallas, where he practiced despite the snow-covered range, he expressed excitement as he headed to the Cotton Bowl for the Texas-Ohio State college football game.
Though he has yet to navigate difficult lies in the rough or tricky bunkers, Spieth expressed satisfaction in no longer experiencing discomfort while hitting the ball or addressing it on the course. “There was a moment when I hit a shot that should have hurt, but it didn’t,” he explained.
While he considered participating in a tournament in the California desert next week, Spieth chose to make his return at Pebble Beach, slightly more than five months following his last competitive outing. This event also marks a significant milestone as AT&T celebrates its 40th year as the title sponsor—a record in the tournament realm. Spieth has aligned himself with AT&T since 2014.
Looking forward, his goal is regaining his status among the top players in golf. In 2015, Spieth made headlines as he pursued the calendar Grand Slam and achieved the top world ranking while accumulating three major titles by age 24. However, after experiencing wrist issues since 2018, he has missed the Tour Championship on four occasions within the past seven years.
“My focus is on the long-term perspective. I’m not pressuring myself for a rapid start; I aim to find my rhythm again,” he said, acknowledging that he hasn’t participated in tournament play for this extended period before.
Spieth’s strategy includes playing three consecutive weeks, totaling approximately 18 rounds, to assess how his wrist holds up before resuming a regular schedule leading up to the Masters. He has seen a decline in his world ranking, now at No. 70, down from No. 43 at the time of his surgery, and he also failed to progress beyond the initial round of the PGA Tour postseason. Consequently, he will likely rely on sponsor exemptions to compete in key events, though his popularity should facilitate that process.
First emerging into the spotlight in 2013 at the young age of 20, Spieth rapidly transitioned from not holding a PGA Tour card to appearing in the Presidents Cup within just six months. He continued to remain relevant and competitive, finishing fifth in the Player Impact Program last year despite not consistently being in contention.
As he embarks on his 13th professional season—“I prefer to say I’m 31,” he quipped—Spieth is acutely aware of the increased depth of talent on the PGA Tour. Notably, winning a major post-40 years is becoming increasingly rare, with only Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Henrik Stenson accomplishing this in the last decade.
His immediate objectives include claiming the PGA Championship to achieve a career Grand Slam and excelling at The Players Championship. “I believe winning all five represents conquering golf,” he remarked.
Ultimately, Spieth’s current focus lies in returning to peak performance. “My key aspirations revolve around stepping on the tee with the confidence that I belong among the world’s best golfers. I want consistency in my game that enables me to maintain that feeling week in and week out, finishing within the top 10 or top 15 regularly,” he concluded, recalling the exhilarating sensation that drives his passion for golf.
