Jordan Spieth withdrew during the opening round of the 2025 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on Thursday, citing an unexpected neck and upper back injury that forced him to end his round early. The 2017 champion’s injury occurred amid strong efforts to continue competing after recent wrist surgery, making this his first withdrawal in 297 PGA TOUR starts.
Details of Spieth’s Injury and Withdrawal at Travelers Championship
Spieth’s difficulty began during his warm-up session before the event, when his body suddenly started to lock up. Despite this, he pushed through the no-cut Signature Event, which awards additional FedExCup points. However, midway through the first round, during his 13th hole, Spieth stopped play after using a muscle massager on his upper back to ease discomfort. At the time, he was 5-over par through 12 holes.
Speaking after his withdrawal, Spieth explained the injury’s sudden onset:
“Everything was great in my gym session, and I’ve been very, very excited to go out and play. Things have been getting better and better, and then my right scap just kind of locked — like tightened midway through the warmup, and I just kept hitting, and then all of a sudden it was moving up, everything around it started to — and then it was over the left and then it was like everything, so I stopped.”
He further described the pain and the physical limitations it caused:
“It was both sides of my neck and upper back, and then I moved over to — I quit 30 minutes early from my warmup and came back to the table with my physio who was out there on the range … I just wasn’t moving very well … then I hit my tee shot on 13, and it legitimately really hurt. I was walking off that tee, and I’m like, if it’s even harder to turn, then I’m not going to be able to make a backswing that’s even useful, and that’s what happened on the bunker shot.”
—Jordan Spieth, Professional Golfer
Recovery Journey Following Wrist Surgery and Recent Form
Spieth’s withdrawal adds a new challenge after his lengthy recovery from wrist surgery. He first injured the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon (ECU) in May 2023, which eventually required surgical reconstruction of the tendon sheath on August 21, 2024, in Colorado. This recovery kept him sidelined for much of late 2024, including nearly 12 weeks without hitting balls and additional weeks before returning to competitive play. He made his comeback at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2025.
Despite his recent injury troubles, Spieth has shown moments of strong performance. He entered the Travelers Championship ranked 37th in the 2025 FedExCup standings, qualifying for the event through the extended Aon Next 10 eligibility selection for Signature Events. This season, he earned four top-10 finishes, including a standout final-round 62 to finish fourth at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, a tournament held in his home state of Texas.
Spieth’s Reflections on Setback and Upcoming Plans
The Texan expressed clear frustration about the timing of the injury, especially given his confidence and preparation leading into the tournament. He said:
“Yeah, it’s incredibly frustrating because this was 10 out of 12 for me, and I was looking at this being the strongest one, and I was very confident about that. Everything I had done in practice and the pro-am showed me it’s going to be a really good event. It’s just a very weird circumstance. It’s disappointing … we’re having a baby here in a couple weeks, so I’ll have some time off now, obviously, to get healthy, but hopefully, after a few days, I go through the right process to just get right back to where I was. Yeah, it’s a bummer.”
—Jordan Spieth, Professional Golfer
The injury came at a pivotal time, as Spieth anticipates a brief period away from competition to recover fully, especially with the upcoming addition to his family. The Travelers Championship represents one of the final Signature Events before the FedExCup Playoffs, making his withdrawal a significant blow in his quest to improve his standing.
Broader Implications and Next Steps for Spieth
Jordan Spieth’s unexpected exit from the Travelers Championship highlights the physical challenges even elite athletes face, particularly during intense seasons following significant surgeries. His first-ever withdrawal underscores the seriousness of the injury and the delicate balance between recovery and competition. With the FedExCup Playoffs approaching, maintaining health will be crucial for Spieth’s aspirations.
As a seasoned player with a track record of resilience, Spieth’s team is expected to focus on rehabilitation to enable a strong return to play. His experience and past successes suggest that, after adequate recovery, he could regain his competitive form in upcoming events. The timing of this injury also dovetails with important life events off the course, allowing him a chance to rest while preparing mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.