Tiger Woods undergoes emergency Achilles surgery, all but ruling him out of the 2025 masters
Tiger Woods‘ dreams of another Masters comeback have been shattered. The 15-time major champion confirmed he underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon, making it almost certain he will miss Augusta in April.
The injury occurred while Woods was training at home, abruptly halting his already limited return to competitive golf. In a post on X, he revealed the devastating news:
“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. This morning, Dr Charlton Stucken of the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach performed a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair. I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab. Thank you for all the support.”
While Woods’ surgeon expects a “full recovery,” this latest setback raises serious concerns about his ability to return to elite competition. At 49, the golf legend has already battled countless injuries, including knee and back surgeries, a previous Achilles rupture in 2008, and a near-fatal car accident in 2021.
The Long Road Back
Woods has not played an individual event since missing the cut at the Open Championship at Royal Troon last summer. His absence from early-season tournaments, including the Players Championship, had already fuelled speculation about his fitness. While personal tragedy—the loss of his mother in February—also played a role in his break, many assumed he was preparing for Augusta.
Instead, his Masters hopes have been crushed. This will mark only the fifth time he has missed the iconic tournament since making his debut in 1995.
Despite his legendary status, Woods has struggled in recent majors. He failed to make the cut in three of the four grand slams last year, raising questions about whether he could still compete at the highest level. His recent appearances have been limited to exhibition events like the PNC Championship, where he partnered with his son, Charlie. He has also been heavily involved in the tech-driven golf league he launched alongside Rory McIlroy.
Uncertain Future
Woods’ latest injury throws his entire 2025 season into doubt. While he has overcome adversity before—winning the 2019 Masters after multiple surgeries and personal struggles—this setback feels different. With age and a mounting injury history working against him, the road back to Augusta in 2026 will be steeper than ever.
In recent weeks, Woods admitted his motivation to train had waned. “My heart is really not into practising right now,” he said in March. “Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I’ll start looking at the schedule.”
Now, with another long rehabilitation ahead, the golf world is left wondering: is this the final blow for one of the sport’s greatest icons?
