Tiger Woods Undergoes Surgery on Left Achilles Tendon
Tiger Woods announced that he underwent surgery on March 11, 2025, to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon, a setback that occurred while he was intensifying his training at home. The procedure, described as “minimally invasive,” was carried out by Dr. Charlton Stucken of the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Surgery Details and Recovery Outlook
Dr. Stucken stated that the surgery proceeded without complications and indicated that Woods is expected to achieve a full recovery. Woods is currently recuperating at his home in Jupiter, Florida, where he plans to concentrate on his rehabilitation. However, a specific timeline for his return to competitive golf remains uncertain.
Upcoming Competitions Impacted
The 15-time major champion will miss the prestigious Masters Tournament, set to take place from April 10 to 13 at Augusta National Golf Club. Woods had not participated in any PGA Tour events this season following the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, on February 4, which influenced his decision to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational.
Recent Performance and Previous Injuries
Woods last played in a PGA Tour event during the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Course, where he missed the cut. This season, he competed in four TGL matches, including a loss in the regular-season finale against Atlanta Drive GC on March 4.
Prior to this surgery, Woods underwent microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine in September 2024 to alleviate nerve impingement, marking his sixth surgery in ten years on his lower back. Additionally, Woods has faced significant injuries in the past, including a torn right Achilles tendon sustained in 2008, which he played through during the 2009 season when he secured six wins.
History of Serious Injuries
In February 2021, Woods was involved in a severe car accident, resulting in potentially life-altering injuries to his right leg, foot, and ankle. He faced multiple surgeries, with doctors nearly having to amputate his leg. Following that incident, he had a subtalar fusion procedure on his right ankle in April 2023 to manage post-traumatic arthritis linked to his injuries.
Reactions from the Golf Community
World No. 5 golfer Ludvig Åberg expressed his concern for Woods after learning about his injury during a press conference at TPC Sawgrass, site of the upcoming Players Championship. Åberg stated, “Obviously, it’s very unfortunate. But, yeah, I mean, I wish him a speedy recovery and hope everything goes well.”
In a related instance, two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer also faced an Achilles injury in February 2024. After undergoing surgery, he missed only his second Masters in four decades but successfully returned to competition three months post-surgery.
Conclusion
As Tiger Woods focuses on his recovery, the golf community remains hopeful for his return. His resilience and perseverance in overcoming injuries have made him a figure of inspiration for many, and fans will be watching closely as he embarks on this latest chapter of his rehabilitation.