FORT WORTH (Texas) — Jordan Spieth is unpredictable on the golf course. The 13-time PGA Tour champion is known to navigate his way through a golf tournament with a pulled drive, miraculous recovery or lipped out short putt.
Spieth is prone to the mundane mishaps that we all experience when he is not on the golf course.
Few could have imagined a duller backstory when Spieth was forced to withdraw from his hometown AT&T Byron Nelson event due to a wrist injury.
Spieth explained to the media that his injury was not anything spectacular, but a weird tweak he received while playing with Sammy, his 18-month old son.
I was playing with my child. I wasn’t holding him at all. I was pushing myself up off the floor while he was laughing and moving side to side. “Something just popped and jammed and all of a suddenly, I could not move it. So, I got right on it,” Spieth explained. I had an MRI done the next day and saw a few specialists to try and figure out what the best plan was.
“I was surprised that I was able play last week. I thought that if I made it through four rounds without making anything worse, or jeopardizing anything moving forward, it would be worthwhile. You never know. It turns out that you can’t just fake your way into a major. You need to be prepared.
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Spieth did not do badly at Oak Hill. After a slow start (he shot 73 on the first day), he clawed back to a Top-30 finish by shooting a 69 Sunday.
He hopes to have an even more impressive performance this week at Colonial. This is a track where he has consistently performed well. Spieth is a veteran of this historic course, having posted eight top-10 finishes from 10 starts. After putting his wrist through the rigors and a souped up Oak Hill, Spieth believes he will be ready for this week.
I just don’t understand it Jordan.
Classic mic’d up moments between @JordanSpieth and Michael Greller @CSChallengeFW #TOURVault pic.twitter.com/8moguvovib
May 24, 2023 — PGA TOUR
“I improved each day and my hand, wrist, and elbow held up well. Spieth stated that he did not feel rushed at this stage. “I’m pretty much on track with the doctors I’ve spoken to. It’s a weekly thing, because this is something that could get worse. If it does, then I have to stop it immediately.”
I’d like to make it through the current stretch and then take a break during the summer before the Scottish. That rest would probably be very helpful. “I’m doing recovery stuff every day, which I’m not accustomed to. But it’s helping.”
The 29-year old University of Texas graduate has had five top-10 finishes in this season. He also finished T-4 at the Masters. In April, he was just a lip-out from winning his 14th Tour title and defending his RBC Heritage title.
At Colonial, he won one (in 2016) as well as three runners-up. He hopes for more magic, assuming that his wrist is up to the task.
“I have some wonderful memories here. Spieth stated that this week’s game feels like a “home game” without the extra that I get from the Byron. “I’m able stay at home but I also feel… I sense the support, without perhaps the extra-ness that i always felt at the Byron.” Spieth said. It’s been a course which has suited my game very well.
“So excited. “Game’s in a great place this year. It continues on a upward trajectory.”
