RBC Heritage: Jordan Spieth wrist tendon pops out, nearly withdrew

Jordan Spieth hits from the bunker on the first hole during the second round of the 2024 RBC Heritage. | Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Jordan Spieth felt something pop in his wrist at the RBC Heritage, which led him to think about withdrawing.

Jordan Spieth almost walked off the golf course after hitting a bunker shot on Harbour Town’s 13th hole during the first round of the RBC Heritage.

His follow-through slammed into the bulkhead of the trap, leading a tendon in his wrist to pop out, per Paul Hodowanic of the PGA Tour.

“It’s a thing that’s recurring,” Spieth said Friday at the RBC Heritage.

“I was lucky because most times it comes out, and I can’t turn it, and so I would have been screwed. It’s the [extensor carpi ulnaris] tendon. It came out and came right back in its groove.”

The three-time major champion then made an eye-popping admission.

“On 14 [on Thursday], I thought I was done for the week,” Spieth said.

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Jordan Spieth gives a thumbs-up after making birdie on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2024 RBC Heritage.

“Then it came back in, and I was like, ‘alright, I’m good.’”

Spieth originally injured his wrist at the Wells Fargo Championship in May 2023. He then skipped out on the AT&T Byron Nelson and battled through the injury at Oak Hill during the PGA Championship.

Fast forward five months, and Spieth re-aggravated his injury after the Ryder Cup.

“I was very shocked when I reinjured it,” Spieth said at the Hero World Challenge about his setback in October.

“I was reaching for a toaster to make my son breakfast, and I was just supporting it on the shelf. It just made no sense because I’m like, ‘What’s going to prevent this from happening at any other point in time?’ And now I’m [going to be] out two-plus weeks, so I feel good about that not being the case going forward.”

But his beleaguered wrist has continued to bother him.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Jordan Spieth’s wrist at the 2023 PGA Championship.

It flared up again at the Valero Texas Open two weeks ago, but he played through the pain once more, finishing in a tie for 10th. He then missed the cut at Augusta National.

Then, on Thursday, Spieth’s third shot on the 13th hole happened.

“Because my [wrist] sheath is torn, it doesn’t really hold it in as well,” Spieth said.

“It’s one of those things. It’s not affecting [my] speed or anything like that. I just [have to] manage it. So today, it was just that the tape, the way it’s on, is going to inhibit [the tendon’s] ability to create any issues.

Spieth went on to finish with five straight pars to wrap up his opening round, carding a 1-under 70. He then received some treatment, decided to remain in the tournament, and proceeded to shoot a 4-under 67 on Friday, which featured a long putt for birdie on the 18th hole to close out the round.

“I may as well keep [wearing the tape],” Spieth added.

“I don’t really like wearing tape, just because, I don’t know, I feel like I’m going to play racquetball or something. I’ll do it the rest of the week, I’m sure, just to be sure.”

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.