Tiger Woods Suffers Ruptured Achilles, Undergoes Surgery Amid Ongoing Injury Woes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Tiger Woods announced on social media Tuesday that he has ruptured his left Achilles tendon while training and underwent surgery to repair the injury. The 49-year-old golf icon described the procedure, performed in the early morning by Dr. Charlton Stucken at the Hospital for Special Surgery, as ‘minimally invasive.’

In his statement, Woods revealed he felt a ‘sharp pain’ in his Achilles while ramping up his training and practice at home. An evaluation subsequently labeled the tendon as ruptured.

‘The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery,’ Dr. Stucken said, providing reassurance to Woods and his fans. However, Woods did not specify the severity of the rupture or a timeline for his recovery.

The latest injury marks another significant setback for Woods, who has faced numerous health challenges over the past years. He has not played competitively on the PGA Tour since the Open Championship last summer, and last September, he underwent a microdiscectomy on his back.

This most recent injury follows Woods’ withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational last month, where he initially planned to compete but opted out, citing he was not mentally prepared after the recent passing of his mother, Kultida.

‘My heart is not really into practicing right now. I’ve had so many other things to do with the Tour and trying to figure out my situation,’ Woods said last week. ‘Once I start feeling a little bit better, I’ll start looking at the schedule.’

Woods’ absence from competitive play extends beyond traditional tournaments, as he participated in four TGL matches this season, including a loss to Atlanta Drive GC on March 4. Despite the setbacks, he acknowledged the support he has received from fans and fellow players.

The Achilles injury joins the long list of physical challenges Woods has overcome in his storied career, including previous surgeries and injuries that have kept him off the course for significant periods. Notably, other high-profile athletes, including NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, have faced similar injuries, with Bryant returning after eight months and Durant taking 18 months to fully recover.

Woods’ experience also raises the question of whether he may miss out on upcoming tournaments, with uncertainty surrounding his potential participation in events like the Masters or U.S. Open this year. As he recovers, only time will tell when Woods will return to the course in a competitive capacity.