PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — In a significant development for golf fans, Tiger Woods has undergone a less invasive surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon on Tuesday. This unfortunate injury will prevent him from participating in the upcoming Masters Tournament, raising concerns about his ability to compete in any other major championships for the remainder of the year.
Woods shared this update on his social media accounts, although he did not specify how long he expects to be sidelined or provide further details about the procedure. He did mention that the surgery was successful. “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 explained, indicating the seriousness of his condition.
The surgery performed was a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair, a procedure that typically involves smaller incisions, which can lead to quicker recovery times. However, medical experts caution that most recoveries require at least a month before the patient can safely put weight on their foot. Notably, two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer experienced a tear in his Achilles tendon last year, keeping him out of action for three months.
Dr. Charlton Stucken from the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach carried out the operation. In the post-surgery update, he stated, “The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery,” which is a positive sign for Woods' potential return to the sport.
The Masters Tournament is scheduled for April 10-13, and Woods has a notable history with this prestigious event. Last year, he set a tournament record by making the cut for the 24th consecutive time. However, he did not fare well in the other three majors in 2024, missing the cut in all of them. His last competitive appearance against top players was at the British Open in July, although he did participate in the 36-hole PNC Championship last December with his son.
Furthermore, Woods has been active in other formats, including the TGL indoor circuit, playing in the 18-hole Seminole Pro-Member event last week and even sharing a round with former President Donald Trump a month ago. Before his recent surgery, Woods had entered the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines but withdrew, citing the emotional toll of processing the February 4 death of his mother, Kultida.
This latest injury is not Woods' first encounter with problems related to his left Achilles tendon. He previously injured it while taking a shot at the Masters due to an awkward stance, and it was also the reason he withdrew from The Players Championship in 2011, which kept him out for two months. Additionally, Woods suffered severe damage to his right leg and ankle in a car crash outside Los Angeles in February 2021, which has further complicated his return to competitive golf.
As Woods begins his recovery process, fans and fellow golfers alike will be watching closely to see if he can make a successful comeback to the sport he has dominated for so long.
