Tiger Woods has undergone surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon, with the five-time major champion now facing an extended spell on the sidelines as he recovers
Tiger Woods fitness woes have continued, after the 82-time PGA Tour winner announced he had once again been sidelined, this time after suffering an Achilles injury.
It was a new blow for Woods, who has competed since missing the cut at last July’s Open Championship at Royal Troon. He was set to play in last December’s Hero World Challenge but was once again forced to miss out, having undergone surgery on a back problem two months earlier.
His latest injury has not only cast doubt over next month’s opening major championship of the season but also the remainder of Woods’ career on the PGA Tour. The 15-time major champion will likely miss the trip to Augusta National next month, having had surgery on the issue.
“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,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. “This morning, Dr. Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon.
“‘The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery,’ added Dr. Stucken. I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support.” The uncertainty surrounding Woods’ fitness has raised doubts as to whether he still has what it takes to compete
After suffering life-changing injuries in a car crash in February 2021, it was thought that the 49-year-old would never play again. He defied the odds a year later though, returning to the 2022 Masters 14 months on. Since though, the 82-time PGA Tour winner has played just 11 rounds of competitive golf across 10 events, with his discomfort on the course evident.
His Achilles issue could potentially result in him missing all four majors this season, leaving him with a significant decision to make at the end of the year. Woods will have turned 50 come the end of the year, making him eligible to compete on the PGA Tour Champions.
Tiger Woods suffered another injury issue ( Image: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Life on the Champions Tour would undoubtedly be easier for the 15-time major champion. Shorter courses, 54 holes, and the use of a cart would benefit Woods, but would arguably the greatest player of all time be willing to give up competing at the top level to transition into senior golf?
He would still of course be able to compete on the major stage. Woods has lifetime exemptions in the Masters and PGA Championship and can also play The Open until he turns 60. It is also expected that if fit to play, he would likely be given an exemption into the US Open as he was last year.
Woods also has lifetime exemptions in the PGA Tour’s Signature Events too, buthas yet to utilise this benefit due to his ongoing injury struggles. The 49-year-old has been open about only wanting to tee it up at events if he can compete, a task that is becoming increasingly difficult at the top level due to his fitness woes.
The Champions Tour seems like a logical next step for Woods, although there had previously been uncertainty over whether he would take this route. Those wanting Woods to make the move were given a boost last month though after fellow major champion and Champions Tour member Padraig Harrington revealed that Woods is eager to take the senior step.
Harrington told Today’s Golfer: “So he has an intention of playing. I think his words were, ‘I can’t wait to beat you out on the Champions Tour or something like that’. He doesn’t want me to have it all my own way, let’s put it like that! I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
