Final Regular Tour Event Wyndham Championship Participation
FedEx Cup Ranking 63rd Requires Additional Points
Left Wrist Injury Aftereffects Lead to 'Worst Season' Experience
It is not easy to see the face of 'Golden Boy' Jordan Spieth (USA). He has been in a 'slump' since his left wrist injury.
Spieth has not performed well in the PGA Tour this year, resulting in a sharp decrease in his appearances on broadcast screens. He has participated in 20 tournaments this season, making the 'Top 10' only three times. His personal best was 3rd place at The Sentry in January. Since tying for 10th at the Valero Texas Open in April, he has not entered the top 10 for four months. He has missed the cut seven times. He currently ranks 63rd in the FedEx Cup standings (782 points), 53rd in the money list ($2,691,991), and has dropped to 39th in the world rankings.
Spieth was once a world-class golfer dominating the tour. He even reached world number one. After his first career win at the 2013 John Deere Classic, he steadily accumulated victories. He claimed titles at the Masters and US Open in 2015, and The Open in 2017. Winning the PGA Championship would complete the 'Career Grand Slam,' a feat achieved by only five players so far: Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods (both USA).
Born in 1993, he is known as a model golfer on the tour. He takes special care of his nine-year-younger sister Ellie. While traveling on tour, he even brings keychains she likes, showing his kind-hearted nature. Ellie has a congenital developmental disability, with an intelligence level around that of a five-year-old. Spieth said, "Seeing Ellie makes me naturally humble. She is an inspiring presence." Since 2013, he has also established a foundation to support children with similar conditions as his sister.
Spieth has been winless for two years and four months since his 13th career victory at the RBC Heritage in April 2022. This is why he appeared at the Wyndham Championship (total prize money $7.9 million), the final regular-season PGA Tour event, held on the 8th (local time) at Sedgefield Country Club (par 70, 7,131 yards) in Greensboro, North Carolina. He aims to challenge for the title and accumulate points to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs (PO) rounds 1 to 3 starting on the 15th. The first PO event, the St. Jude Championship (total prize money $20 million), admits players ranked up to 70th in the FedEx Cup standings. The second event, the BMW Championship (total prize money $20 million) on the 22nd, admits up to 50th place, and the third, the Tour Championship (total prize money TBD) on the 29th, admits up to 30th place.
Spieth analyzed, "This year has been disappointing. My driver was good, but the irons were the problem." His average tee shot distance was 306 yards (35th), and his fairway hit rate was 62.83% (55th), which were not bad. However, his greens in regulation rate was only 66.06% (88th). His average score was also 70.27 strokes (94th). He was about 2% short in greenside play and putting as well.
He has been suffering from a left wrist injury. He has consulted various doctors and undergone multiple MRI scans for treatment. While playing, he does not feel pain, but painful situations have repeatedly occurred after matches. Spieth is expected to undergo wrist surgery after the PO. "I feel like I need to do something in the off-season. I thought I could heal without surgery, but the problem was not completely resolved. I know many golfers have returned better after surgery."
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