Tiger Woods looks almost certain to miss next month’s Masters after the five-time champion revealed on Tuesday that he has undergone surgery for a ruptured Achilles.
With a recovery period estimated at between 10 and 26 weeks, there will inevitably be questions over not only whether he will be seen in competitive action this year, but even if this could be it for the 49-year-old.
The one positive appears to be that the operation was on the left leg and not on the right leg that he came close to losing in a serious car crash four years ago. However, after multiple surgeries on his back, it must be wondered how much more his battered body can withstand.
Woods, who was already sitting out this week’s Players Championship as he continues to grieve the recent death of his mother, has not played in an official event since last year’s Open at Troon, where he failed to qualify for the final two rounds after also missing the cuts at the US Open and US PGA Championship.
Yet earlier in 2024 he had re-emphasised his penchant for Augusta, the course where he formed so much of his legend with a 12-shot victory at the age of 21 in 1997, and then again with his astonishing comeback victory six years ago. He broke the Masters record with 24 consecutive cuts, a run stretching back 27 years.
Woods has, of course, become the ultimate patron favourite at the Georgia showpiece, attracting huge crowds. And there even seemed to be optimism in his camp that he could provide rather more than a ceremonial presence for the galleries who flock to see this living, breathing, if perpetually limping legend.
Despite his turmoil at the passing of Kultida Woods last month, there had been promising reports about the state of his game during recent practice rounds. Alas, on Tuesday evening, a statement on his social media accounts all but crushed the hopes of seeing him at the Masters in four weeks.
“As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured,” Woods wrote. “This morning, Dr Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida, performed a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon.
“I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support.”
Dr Stucken added: “The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery.”
There is no word on the length of his latest time away, but even Royal Portrush in July might appear too ambitious for his latest return date. He turns 50 in December and will be eligible to play on the senior tour, where he will be allowed to use a buggy if required.
After appearing in a couple of TGL matches – the indoor simulation league he co-owns with Rory McIlroy – in the first few months of this year, that limited, rather sad scenario could be the very best for which his many admirers can pray.
McIlroy: ‘I’ll retire a little earlier than I should’
“It sucks,” said McIlroy on Woods’ injury. “He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body.
“Achilles surgeries obviously aren’t fun. [I’m] hoping he’s in good spirits and hoping he’s doing OK.
“We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026.”
When asked whether he believes Woods would return to professional golf after his latest setback, the Northern Irishman said he expects the 15-time major winner to “try” but admitted he expected himself to retire with “more left in the tank”.
“I can acknowledge how lucky golfers are to be able to do what they do for so long compared to other athletes, so whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing,” McIllroy added.
“When I’ve achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don’t think I can maybe do that any more.
“I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should.
“There’s always one more, but that’s OK. If you can come to terms with that and walk away on your own terms, then that’s a good thing.”
Asked about the prospect of playing on the Champions Tour, he said: “Absolutely not. I will not play Champions Tour golf.
“I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf.
“Something has gone terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”
