Tag: professionals-jordan-spieth

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Professionals

Jordan Spieth Hopes for Comeback After Successful Operation

Jordan Spieth's surgery was successful. (Source: Getty)
Jordan Spieth's surgery was successful. (Source: Getty)

Recently, we reported that Jordan Spieth would be using his early season exit to undergo surgery on his left wrist. Now, the three-time major winner has shared via social media that the operation went as planned and that he is on the road to recovery. “I had procedure on my left wrist last week, as I had mentioned was the plan. The operation went smoothly and I’m grateful for the exceptional medical team and support of Annie and my family. Focused on rest and rehab, and I look forward to returning to golf healthy and prepared for 2025,” Spieth wrote on X.

Jordan Spieth Hopes for a Swift Comeback

Despite the successful procedure, Spieth still has a long road ahead. The wrist is crucial for a golfer, and in Spieth’s case, his left wrist has been troubling him for some time. This has also been reflected in his performances, which have been rather inconsistent in recent years. Spieth’s last PGA Tour win came 28 months ago at the RBC Heritage in Harbour Town. Since then, his career has seen highs and lows: a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Masters, another near-win at the RBC, but also 14 missed cuts and a disqualification have marked his recent journey. Notably, his swing has changed – his clubface is now much more closed at the top of his backswing than it was during his peak in 2015. Experts like Brandel Chamblee expressed surprise at this change as golf.com reports.

Spieth’s ongoing issues with his left arm and wrist trace back to an injury in 2018 when he fractured a bone in his left hand, an injury he admits he never fully addressed. In May 2023, Spieth had to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament in his hometown of Dallas due to acute wrist pain. Although he competed in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill a week later, he wasn’t fully recovered. More setbacks followed in October of that year after the Ryder Cup when Spieth re-injured his wrist – this time while lifting a toaster at home. After several tests, doctors finally diagnosed ulnar nerve damage, providing him with much-needed clarity regarding his condition. “I believe that if I stay on top of this, I can structurally do what’s necessary to play my best golf again,” Spieth said optimistically at the time.

Now, after the successful surgery, the Texan begins the long journey back to his best form. It will be interesting to see how Spieth performs in 2025.

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PGA Tour

The Jordan Spieth Rule: PGA Tour Revises Scorecard Rule

The PGA Tour announced a rule change just a few weeks after Jordan Spieth signed an incorrect scorecard. (Source: Getty)
The PGA Tour announced a rule change just a few weeks after Jordan Spieth signed an incorrect scorecard. (Source: Getty)

The PGA Tour has amended its rule regarding the return of scorecards, an adjustment that is being referred to as the “Jordan Spieth rule.” This change, effective immediately, addresses the circumstances surrounding scorecard errors to minimize disqualifications and unnecessary penalties.

PGA Tour Changes Scorecard Rule After Jordan Spieth Disqualification

The catalyst for the rule change was an incident involving three-time major champion Jordan Spieth at the Genesis Invitational in February. Spieth was disqualified after the second round for signing an incorrect scorecard. He mistakenly recorded a par on the par-3 4th hole at Riviera Country Club when, in fact, he had made a bogey. Spieth later admitted that he hurriedly signed his card, recording a score of 2-over 73 instead of the correct 3-over, due to an urgent bathroom break.

In response to this incident and similar situations, the PGA Tour has introduced a 15-minute window for players to correct errors on their scorecards even after leaving the defined scoring area. This amendment is a collaborative effort involving the USGA, R&A, and DP World Tour, emphasizing a unified approach across major golf organizations.

The New Rule Explained

The updated rule includes the following provisions:

  1. Post-Validation Corrections: If a scorecard is validated in the scoring system and the player has left the scoring area, the player has 15 minutes to return and correct any errors.
  2. Pre-Validation Corrections: If an error is identified before the scorecard is validated, the player can return within 15 minutes to amend the mistake.
  3. Time Expiry in Scoring Area: If a player remains in the scoring area when the 15 minutes expire, the scorecard is considered returned upon their departure.

While the general rule allows a 15-minute correction period, there are exceptions. Situations such as releasing tee times following the cut, initiating a playoff, or the end of competition might limit the correction window to less than 15 minutes.

Reception Among Players

The rule change has garnered positive reactions from many players. Tour professional Michael Kim expressed his approval on the social-media platform X, stating, “I think it is way better this way. Hopefully no more scorecard DQ’s in the future.”

However, not all players are fully satisfied. Andrew Putnam criticized the rule on X, calling it outdated. He highlighted the fact that in no other sport do players keep their own scores, particularly given that golf groups have walking scorers and every shot is meticulously recorded.

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Highlights Tours

The Masters Tournament 2024: Drama On 15th Hole For Spieth

Jordan Spieth despairs in round 1 at the Masters Tournament 2024 (Photo: Getty)
Jordan Spieth despairs in round 1 at the Masters Tournament 2024 (Photo: Getty)

It took more than a day, but now the incredibly fast greens of Augusta National have claimed their first prominent victim. Jordan Spieth despaired on the green of the 15th fairway on the second day of the Masters Tournament 2024, but after the first round was interrupted by the onset of darkness in round 1. “Firethorn”, as the par 5 was so aptly named, showed its particularly beastly side for the veteran and gave Spieth a quadruple bogey.

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Jordan Spieth with dramatic quadruple bogey at the Masters Tournament 2024

Even before the start of the Masters Tournament 2024, Ken Brown reported on the difficult and particularly fast greens at Augusta National this week. Not even a complete round of golf later, Jordan Spieth had to painfully familiarise himself with these qualities. After an approach shot to the green on the 15th fairway that was too long, he hit what should have been a simple chip back onto the green. However, what should have been a safe shot failed and rolled straight back into the water on the other side of the green as if on a pane of glass. It went back into the drop zone and after another pitch that was too long, again behind the flag, Spieth opted for a much more defensive chip. This was followed by two putts and finally the nine on the scorecard.

Jordan Spieth in despair on hole 15 at the US Masters 2024 (Photo: Masters.com)

The shot tracker for this hole by Spieth is not very reminiscent of the American’s otherwise precise short game, but rather of a child’s drawing with a few abstract stick figures. Thanks to this track, Spieth is likely to face an even greater challenge in round 2. Without much of a break, the Friday session continues and with it the battle for the cut. At seven over par, he is currently well outside the decisive positions and has to fight to stay in the tournament.

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