Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods recently underwent surgery on his left Achilles tendon after sustaining an injury while training at home. The procedure, which was described as “minimally invasive,” was performed by Dr. Charlton Stucken at the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida.
According to Stucken, the surgery was successful, and Woods is expected to make a full recovery. While no official timeline has been provided for his return, Woods stated that he is now back home in Jupiter, Florida, focusing on rehabilitation.
Woods’ Injury Sidelines Him, Forcing Withdrawal from Masters and PGA Tour Events
Woods’ injury will likely sideline him for an extended period, ruling him out of the Masters Tournament scheduled for April 10-13 at Augusta National Golf Club. This marks a significant setback as the Masters is one of the most prestigious events in professional golf.
Woods has not yet competed in a PGA Tour event this season, largely due to the recent passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, in February. His last planned participation was at the Genesis Invitational, but he withdrew, citing that he was not prepared to compete after his mother’s death.
Tiger Woods (PGA)Before his injury, Woods’ last professional golf event was The Open at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland in July 2023, where he failed to make the cut. More recently, he has participated in four matches in the TGL golf league, including a significant loss on March 4. Woods has faced persistent health issues over the years, including back problems that led to microdecompression surgery in September 2024—his sixth such procedure in a decade.
Woods’ Injury History and Resilience: Overcoming Setbacks in His Golf Career
This is not Woods’ first Achilles heel injury. He previously tore his right Achilles tendon in 2008 and suffered repeated setbacks in 2009. Despite the injury, he continued playing and secured six victories during the 2009 PGA Tour season. Additionally, Woods endured severe leg injuries in a 2021 car accident that nearly led to the amputation of his right leg. He underwent multiple surgeries following the crash, and in April 2023, he had a subtalar fusion procedure to address post-traumatic arthritis in his right ankle, a lingering effect of the accident.
News of Woods’ latest injury sparked reactions across the golf world. Ludvig Åberg, currently ranked world No. 5, expressed his disappointment but wished Woods a swift recovery. Meanwhile, comparisons have been drawn to Bernhard Langer, who suffered a similar Achilles injury in 2023 while playing pickleball.
Langer returned to competition within three months, utilizing a golf cart to compete on the PGA Tour Champions. Whether Woods can make a similarly swift return remains uncertain, but given his history of resilience, many are hopeful for another comeback.