Tiger Woods has ruptured his Achilles tendon, casting his future in golf into fresh doubt.
The 15-time major winner was preparing for his latest comeback at home in Florida when he felt a ‘sharp pain’ in his left heel.
Woods, 49, revealed on social media that he underwent surgery on Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery, though the chances of his participation in the Masters next month will surely be non-existent.
In a statement, Woods said: ‘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.
‘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.’
Tiger Woods revealed that he has suffered an Achilles rupture in a shock statement Tuesday
The 15-time major winner was preparing for his latest comeback when he felt a ‘sharp pain’
Dr Stucken said: ‘The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery.’
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Woods has not played at Tour-level since The Open last summer, with back surgery accounting for much of his lay-off before he withdrew from the Genesis Invitational last month following the death of his mother.
There had been suggestions that he was lining up a return at the PGA Tour’s Players Championship in Florida this week, though he missed last Friday’s cut off to confirm his entry. He had indicated earlier this month that he was focusing instead on practice.
Woods, a two-time winner at The Players, has not played the PGA Tour’s flagship event since 2019. He tied for 30th, and a month later won the Masters for his fifth green jacket and his 15th major championship.
He earned a five-year exemption for The Players with that Masters win, getting an extra year to account for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The Players was canceled after one round in 2020, though Woods did not enter because he was feeling stiffness in his back.
There are no special exemptions for The Players. His only way back would be through his performance this year, or if he were to ever play the PGA Tour Champions after turning 50 and winning the Kaulig Companies Championship – formerly Senior Players – at Firestone.
Yet, following Tuesday’s devastating news, that path back to TPC Sawgrass just became a lot more challenging.
This latest injury continues a miserable run of ailments, which included almost losing his right leg in a car accident. He has previously torn the Achilles tendon in his right ankle as well as rupturing ligaments in his left knee.
Woods had been expected to make a return at The Masters, where he is a five-time winner
The legend’s latest injury comes just over a month after his mother Kultida suddenly died
A look back at Tiger Woods’ bond with his mother Kultida Woods
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Woods played alongside son Charlie to continue their annual tradition at the PNC Championship, a family exhibition, in December, returning from back surgery he underwent last September.
He has swung a club competitively, albeit on a simulator rather than on the course. He competed alongside his Jupiter Links teammates in TGL – the tech-infused, indoor league he founded with Rory McIlroy – throughout its inaugural regular season. Jupiter Links, also comprised of Tom Kim, Max Homa and Kevin Kisner, failed to make the playoffs.
The diagnosis is yet another devastating setback for the PGA Tour icon who has been plagued with injuries over the past few years.
Last September, Woods had a sixth back operation in 10 years. The surgery was formally referred to as ‘microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine.’
Woods, an 82-time winner on the PGA Tour, suffered extensive injuries from a horror, single-vehicle car crash in 2021 that broke his right leg and ankle and required emergency surgery.
He later had another ankle surgery to address lingering issues in 2023, weeks after withdrawing from that year’s edition of The Masters.
Tuesday’s latest health update comes just over a month after Woods’ mother Kultida suddenly died on February 4. The golf legend spoke out last week about how much he is struggling to come to terms with her loss.
‘This is the third time I’ve touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven’t really gotten into it,’ Woods said. ‘My heart is not into practicing right now.
‘I have so many other things to do with the tour. Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I´ll start looking at the schedule.’