Injured Wrist Won’t Keep Spieth from Playing

Jordan Spieth’s status this week at the PGA Championship is no longer questionable. After playing nine holes Wednesday with Justin Thomas and Tom Kim at chilly Oak Hill, the three-time major champ told reporters that his injured wrist is good enough for him to attempt to play this week.

Spieth, 29, only needs to win a PGA Championship to complete the career Grand Slam.

“I wouldn't play if I didn't think I was in good enough shape to play,” Spieth told reporters. “I just don't have the reps I'd like to have going into a major. But I'm happy I'm able to play because I surely didn't think that a week ago.”

Two weeks ago, Spieth shot 72-77 and missed the cut at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte. A few days later, he withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson outside Dallas, saying that his wrist was hurting, thus leaving his status this week at Oak Hill up in the air.

Spieth arrived Tuesday at the PGA and went through a 75-minute practice session on the range, then played nine holes with World No. 1 Jon Rahm. He had his left wrist heavily taped, and black kinesiology tape was seen extending from his wrist to his elbow.

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On Wednesday, he played nine holes with Thomas and Kim and practiced some more. Temperatures were considerably colder, and Spieth was wearing long sleeves so it wasn’t clear if he was wearing the kinesiology tape, but his wrist was again taped.

“Name a type of treatment, I've done just about everything," said Spieth, not mentioning how he believes he injured himself. "I'm continuing to do it. It's healed up. I don't know how much, but enough to be able to play this week."

Spieth started the year ranked No. 14 in the world, and he is now up to 10th. Despite not winning, he’s remained extremely consistent. In 11 stroke play events this year, he has five top-six finishes, including a playoff loss to Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head and a fourth-place tie at the Masters.

This week, Oak Hill is expected to present a tough test as weather is likely to play a role, as is the gnarly rough that guards the fairways and greens.

“There's nothing that separates this from a U.S. Open,” Spieth said. “This is a U.S. Open. The fairways are firm, narrow, and the rough is thick. As far as difficulty, it feels like a U.S. Open course. Par is a nice score.”

Spieth is in a featured grouping Thursday morning with Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland. The three players start on the 10th hole at 8:22 a.m. ET.