How severe is the Achilles ailment that Tiger Woods has? Is the 49-year-old set to miss the remainder of 2025, and is retirement imminent?
What will happen to Tiger Woods, who turns 50 later this year, had back surgery in September, was involved in a car accident four years ago that left him with injuries that could have ended his career, and recently tore his Achilles tendon, which will probably keep him out of action for the remainder of 2025?
What is the most recent injury setback for Tiger?
In a social media message on Wednesday, the former world No. 1 disclosed that Woods had ruptured his left Achilles.
The 15-time major winner has undergone four knee surgeries during his illustrious golf career, and this is the most recent in a long series of injury issues. He had his sixth back surgery last September. In February 2021, he was also hurt in a car accident that could have ended his career.
Dr. Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida, who conducted Woods’ most recent surgery, was quoted in his statement as saying: “The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery.” Woods’ most recent injury is on the opposite leg from which he sustained “significant” damage in that 2021 crash.
Bernhard Langer, a two-time Masters champion who tore his Achilles tendon in February of last year, is another player who can give Woods hope. With the use of a cart, the 67-year-old won the Charles Schwab Cup in November on the PGA Champions Tour for over-50s, demonstrating how impressively he returned.
Would Woods’ tournament, the Hero World Challenge in December, be a potential target for a comeback? Or perhaps competing at the PNC Championship that same month with his son, Charlie?
To what extent is Woods injured?
Sammy Margo, a consultant certified physiotherapist, told the PA news agency: “You are not able to move or bear weight for up to two weeks following surgery
After two to six weeks of early rehabilitation, you gradually increase your weight-bearing capacity while wearing protective boots. After six to twelve weeks, you start to progress from three to six months.
Tiger Woods and other professional athletes often require four to six months for basic recuperation, six to nine months for a comeback to competition, and most likely around 12 months for full recovery and peak performance.
As he told reporters at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy has undoubtedly ruled out Woods making a comeback in 2025: “We obviously will not see Tiger play golf this year, and maybe we see him maybe play in 2026.”
Which competitions will Woods miss?
Well, if Woods is to be completely ruled out for 2025, then all of them.
All four majors take occur over the next four months, which Woods would have surely prioritized, even if his recuperation is speedier than anticipated.
The PGA Championship is May 15–18, the US Open is June 12–15, and The Open concludes the men’s major season at Royal Portrush from July 17–20. The Masters is held at Augusta National from April 10–13.
Despite making early exits in all three majors, Woods recorded back-to-back 78s over the weekend after making a record-breaking 24th consecutive cut at The Masters last year.
Since the vehicle accident in February 2021, Woods has played a limited schedule, making just 11 competitive starts. His last appearance on the PGA Tour was at The Open in July of last year, where he missed the cut.
Golf’s response was, “Tiger coming to the end.”
Rory McIlroy, a five-time major champion: “It is awful. When it comes to injuries and his body, he has little luck.
Achilles surgeries are not enjoyable, so it is clear that he was attempting to ramp up in preparation for [The Masters in April at] Augusta. I hope he is doing well and that he is in a good mood.”
“That was new to me when you just said it,” Ludvig Åberg said during his press conference after the news broke. I hope everything goes well and wish him a quick recovery, even if it is obviously quite tragic.”
Paul McGinley of Sky Sports: “It is clearly concerning. Tiger’s career is undoubtedly coming to an end. Since that serious automobile accident injury, he has only had one top 10 finish in his last 19 appearances.
“It is depressing since this injury is not the only one. It is the accumulation of accident after injury and the exhausting rehabilitation he is undergone.”
Mark Rolfing of the Golf Channel: “I am not sure how much more this guy’s physique can handle. It has endured a great deal. It seems like the end is getting closer.
Will Woods play golf again or retire?
McIlroy went on to say, “I know he will try,” regarding Woods’ potential comeback to competitive golf. “Obviously, I have no idea what is going through his mind, but based on his past actions, he will undoubtedly attempt.”
Given that Woods turns 50 in December, McGinley thinks he might make a comeback to the course, but this time in senior golf, where he would be able to play for the first time.
