Jordan Spieth entered the Travelers Championship hoping to build off the momentum he created over his last few tournaments, but instead, he was forced to withdraw on Thursday after his health deteriorated. He was 5-over and struggling during his opening round, and at one point, the cameras captured him groaning in pain. He could complete just 12 holes, and following his tee shot on 13, Spieth knew he couldn’t hold on for longer…

The golfer told his caddie, Michael Greller, “I’m done. Can’t do it. I’m sorry.” But unaware of the official rules for withdrawing, Spieth was heard asking next, “How’s this work?… I’ve never done this.” So he gave his playing competitor, Luke Clanton, his scorecard and proceeded to get on a golf cart to go back to the clubhouse, where he spoke to reporters. What exactly happened to him?

Sitting down for a press conference, Spieth revealed: “It was just like midway through on my irons. 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.

“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, Marnus, who works with Scottie and JT and some other guys, and tried to get on top of it, and as I was out there playing, I couldn’t — I just wasn’t moving very well, and then it just got worse.

“I was just going to try to see if I could somehow get through at even. It’s a weird situation with an elevated event and no cut and important points and stuff. It’s like, well, what’s the downside if I can finish of just finishing even if it’s ugly, and 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. I was like — it’s only going to get worse to finish the round, and it’s not worth it. I thought that was the time. I’ve never withdrawn from an event ever anywhere at any level, so I didn’t really know what to do. It just became too much. I didn’t see it turning around until probably Saturday. These things kind of last an extra day, and no matter what I was going to do, it was just going to be — I don’t know, it’s unfortunate. I’ve been doing everything right, and I think it was just very random.”

Well, by withdrawing from the event, the golfer will receive last-place money in the limited-field, signature event. He will not get any FedExCup points. Jordan Spieth had missed the first month of the season as he was still recovering from his left-wrist surgery from last August, and currently ranks 37th in points. He recorded four top-10s in 15 starts and was coming off a T-23 at the U.S. Open.

“I may have just slept wrong and then something came along. I don’t know what caused it. I’ve done the same routine. I didn’t change anything up. I took Monday pretty easy. There was no excuses. It was very random. Unfortunate, given the timing,” he concluded. The experience was frustrating for him. Going into the tournament, he was confident about everything he had done in practice and was hoping he could get a strong finish.

In fact, the days leading up to the 2025 Travelers Championship were quite relaxed for Jordan Spieth. He even had a great time with his caddie, Greller, hours after his final round in the 2025 U.S. Open. But the fresh injury has caused some concerns about his overall fitness. And his fans couldn’t help but analyze the situation online. What did they say?

Golf fans analyze Jordan Spieth’s latest injury

A video from the 13th tee was posted by NUCLR GOLF, where Jordan Spieth was seen loudly groaning after completing his swing. This was tweeted before the PGA Tour pro’s withdrawal. The painful video made one fan write, “Looks like a pinched nerve in his upper right side. Look at how he keeps his right shoulder still when he grabs the tee after. Could also be a slight muscle tear, or both. Either way, it’s extremely painful. Not good. He might miss the Open.” 27 days still remain for Spieth’s possible trip to Portrush. But depending on the severity of the injury, he could be out for anywhere between 2 to 12 weeks.

But with another major and a possible Ryder Cup run on the horizon, it wouldn’t be wise to risk a long-term injury especially when he started to find his rhythm again in 2025. Hence, some fans prayed for him:

• “Damn. Hope he gets better soon.”
• “Prayers up for Jordan!”

Reflecting on how Spieth’s plans for the next few weeks have been derailed, a social media user wrote, “Right as he was getting some momentum too. Hope he gets right for the Scottish Open and Portrush.” After a couple of weeks of break, the top names on the PGA Tour were all expected to take a trip to Europe for the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open. That would help them prepare for the last major of the season, the British Open. But the way things ended for Spieth, he might not be able to keep up with that schedule. 

Golfweek reporter David Dusek also chimed in to give an update about the situation. He tweeted, “Just sat in on Jordan Spieth talking at the clubhouse before leaving TPC River Highlands. He’s genuinely disappointed. He woke up feeling like pain in his neck. He got treatment, but as the round went on, it got worse. He couldn’t make good swings and knew it wasn’t going to improve. Spieth had never withdrawn from an event at any level.”

Despite early withdrawal, Spieth still has the support and blessings from the fans as they hope for a positive update on recovery in the near future. With the 2025 Travelers Championship dreams coming to an end, the 31-year-old will need to reset his goals and start making a realistic checklist of expectations for the rest of the season. What do you think?