PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The day when golf must envision its future without Tiger Woods was bound to come, primarily due to the natural progression of age. As Woods approaches his 50th birthday later this year, he is frequently reminded of the well-known saying that “Father Time remains undefeated.” Unfortunately for Woods, it’s not just time but a series of debilitating injuries that continue to sideline him, preventing him from making a graceful exit from the sport on his own terms.
In a recent post on social media, Woods disclosed the latest setback—a ruptured left Achilles tendon requiring surgery, albeit a minimally invasive one. This injury will force him to miss the Masters next month and likely keep him out for the remainder of the year. “It sucks,” remarked Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship on Wednesday. “He doesn’t have much luck with injuries and his body. Hoping he’s in good spirits and OK. We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026.”
The future is uncertain for Woods, who revolutionized the way golf was viewed, sparked a surge in television ratings, and elevated prize money to new heights. His career boasts 15 major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins, a testament to his extraordinary talent and dominance. However, a series of injuries and surgeries began to erode his once seemingly indomitable presence on the course.
Woods recently faced a personal loss with his mother Kultida passing away last month. He subsequently withdrew from the Genesis Invitational to grieve, opting not to attend The Players Championship. Reflecting on his injury, Woods wrote, “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.”
The catalogue of Woods’ injuries is remarkable in its breadth. From his left knee and lower back to stress fractures in his left tibia sustained during his 2008 U.S. Open win, the list continues with injuries to both his Achilles tendons and several back surgeries. Added to this was a serious car crash near Los Angeles that nearly resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Despite these setbacks, he persistently returned, thrilling fans, although his appearances were mostly limited to major tournaments.
There was a time when Woods seemed destined to surpass Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major wins. However, his frequent injuries made this goal increasingly elusive. “If he’d have been healthy, I think he would have got it,” Nicklaus stated in a recent interview. “But he didn’t remain healthy. We all have injuries. Tiger had his problems. I feel bad for him.”
Woods’ last major triumph was the 2019 Masters, an extraordinary achievement given his struggles with mobility just two years prior. He later matched Sam Snead’s record with an 82nd PGA Tour win in Japan. Yet, he hasn’t won since, sparking questions about what drives him now and what remains for him to prove.
Rory McIlroy, another prominent player, acknowledges the end comes for all athletes, and he has a plan to gracefully exit the sport. “Whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing,” McIlroy commented. “I’d also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank.”
Golf legends like Nicklaus did not wish to be ceremonial participants, and Woods is grappling with a similar decision. He’s exempt for life at some major competitions and could theoretically continue for years. However, his future largely hinges on health considerations.
When asked if Woods might compete at the highest level again, McIlroy offered, “He’ll try—I know he’ll try. But that’s a question for him, not for me. Judging by prior behavior, he’ll definitely try.” It’s a sentiment shared by many who hope to witness Woods return to competitive golf once more.
