Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. — The prospect of golf sans Tiger Woods has always been a given due to the passage of time. As he approaches his 50th birthday this year, Woods has himself often referred to the inevitabilities of age, mentioning, “Father Time remains undefeated.” However, it’s not time but rather a slew of injuries that are hindering Woods from concluding his illustrious career on his terms.
Recently, Woods disclosed on social media that he had suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon, for which he underwent minimally invasive surgery. This unfortunate development sidelines him from the upcoming Masters and potentially from participating in any tournaments this year.
Rory McIlroy, speaking during The Players Championship, lamented Woods’ predicament: “It sucks. He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. Hoping he’s in good spirits and hoping he’s OK. We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026.”
Woods’ influence is monumental in the sport, having made golf a popular spectacle, boosting TV ratings, and raising prize money significantly. His dominance is unmatched, evident from his 15 major titles, 82 PGA Tour wins, and the absence of a formidable rival—until injuries began affecting his career significantly.
Recent personal challenges include the death of his mother, Kultida, last month, which resulted in his withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational. Furthermore, he opted out of The Players Championship as this year marks the sunset of his exemption from winning the 2019 Masters.
In recounting his injury, Woods shared, “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.”
His injury list is daunting: issues with his left knee and lower back, stress fractures in his left tibia during the 2008 U.S. Open, strains and tears on both Achilles tendons, and six back surgeries, most notably a lower back fusion in 2017, to name a few. Not to mention the near-fatal car crash in Los Angeles that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg.
Despite these setbacks, Woods has continued to command attention, his appearances mostly confined to major tournaments. Since the 2021 car accident, he has participated in eight major championships, completing the full 72 holes only twice, both times at the Masters, but never being in serious contention.
There was a time Woods seemed poised to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors—a feat now overshadowed by continued injuries. In a recent interview, Nicklaus acknowledged Woods’ misfortunes, saying, “If he’d have been healthy, I think he would have got it. But he didn’t remain healthy. We all have injuries, we all have different things that change things. Tiger had his problems.”
Woods’ last major victory was the remarkable 2019 Masters win, followed by tying the record with his 82nd PGA Tour win in Japan that same year. Yet, he hasn’t claimed another victory since then.
What drives Woods now, and what does he hope to achieve are universal questions facing all golfers. Golf is unique in its longevity, allowing players to continue competing at high levels well past the age where athletes in other sports may retire. For McIlroy, who turns 36 soon, recognizing the right moment to step aside is pivotal: “Whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing. I’d also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank.”
Jack Nicklaus, after winning his final major in 1986, played major tournaments for another 12 years but didn’t want to become merely a ceremonial presence.
The question of whether golf has seen the last of Woods remains open. With lifetime exemptions at the Masters and PGA Championships and eligibility to play the British Open for another decade, Woods could still choose his farewell. However, his physical health will largely determine this outcome.
Asked about Woods’ potential return to competitive play, McIlroy reflected, “He’ll try — I know he’ll try. But that’s a question for him, not for me. I obviously don’t know what’s in his head. But judging by prior behavior, he’ll definitely try.”
