At TPC River Highlands on Thursday, Jordan Spieth added an unwanted first to his career résumé. The three-time major winner withdrew from the 2025 Travelers Championship mid-round, citing a neck injury–the first time in his 297 PGA Tour starts that he has failed to complete a tournament.
The 31-year-old began his opening round clearly struggling, making bogeys early and reaching 5-over par through 12 holes. On the 13th tee, he hit a visibly strained drive and let out a grunt of pain. Moments later, he turned to his caddie and said, “I’m done. Can’t do it. I’m sorry.”
He was carted off the course shortly after, handing his scorecard to playing partner Luke Clanton as he made his way back to the clubhouse.
Injury Strikes at the Worst Time
According to multiple reports, including coverage from Golf Channel and CT Insider, Spieth began feeling discomfort in his neck during his pre-round warm-up. Despite receiving treatment before teeing off, the issue worsened as the round progressed.
“It was both sides of my neck and upper back,” Spieth said. “I just wasn’t moving very well, and then it just got worse.”
Observers noted he was having trouble turning through his swing– a red flag for any professional golfer, let alone one competing in a Signature Event with a $20 million purse.
According to Golf Week, “Golf Channel’s George Savaricas reported Spieth injured his neck while warming up Thursday, and the official notice from the Tour cited neck and upper back pain.”
The decision to withdraw was clearly not taken lightly. Spieth is a grinder by nature, and the rarity of the move underscores just how severe the discomfort had become. It also marked a disappointing exit from a tournament where he’s historically played well and where he hoped to pick up critical FedEx Cup points.
“I’ve never withdrawn from an event ever anywhere at any level, so I didn’t really know what to do.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,” Spieth said. “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.
Implications for the FedEx Cup and Beyond
Spieth entered the week ranked 37th in the FedEx Cup standings. In this elevated no-cut event, a solid finish could have propelled him up the rankings as the Tour nears its summer crescendo.
Instead, Spieth walks away with last-place prize money–roughly $50,000–but no points. With the playoffs drawing nearer, every start carries weight, and this unexpected setback could make qualification for the Tour Championship more difficult.
Beyond the numbers, there’s a larger concern: Spieth’s health. The Tour schedule remains packed, and any lingering injury to his neck, which directly affects his swing and rotation, could require extended rest. His status for upcoming events is now uncertain.
A Shifting Tournament Narrative
While Spieth’s departure dominated the early headlines, the tournament itself continued with strong performances from the top of the field. Rory McIlroy rebounded from a crushing near-miss at the U.S. Open with a bogey-free 6-under-par 64, surging near the top of the leaderboard. Keegan Bradley and Wyndham Clark also came out strong, while Aaron Eckroat briefly held the early lead.
Scottie Scheffler, the defending Travelers champion and current World No. 1, opened his title defense with an 8-under 62 after teeing off in the afternoon wave.
What Comes Next for Spieth?
The immediate priority for Spieth is recovery. His team has yet to release a full statement, but reports from insiders suggest the injury, while not catastrophic, was painful enough to compromise his mechanics–making further play not only ineffective but potentially damaging.
Given his career durability up to this point, fans will be hopeful for a quick turnaround. But neck injuries are notoriously tricky in golf, and if he’s forced to miss more time, it could mean significant reshuffling for his 2025 campaign.
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