At 49 years old, American golfer Tiger Woods faces yet another hurdle in a career filled with triumphs and setbacks. In a statement shared on his social media, he disclosed that he ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg during a training session at home. The injury, which occurred as Woods ramped up his physical preparation for a competitive comeback, required immediate surgery. Now, the athlete is recovering at home, where he plans to focus on rehabilitation to return to the golf course. This incident marks another challenge for one of the sport’s greatest icons, who has already undergone multiple surgeries over the years, including a recent back procedure in 2024.
Woods had been intensifying his training regimen with the goal of competing in the 2025 Masters, one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. Scheduled for April, the event was seen as a key milestone in his return after months away from official competitions. However, the Achilles tendon rupture has derailed his immediate plans, with Woods last playing a PGA Tour event in July 2024. In his message to fans, he expressed gratitude for their support and struck an optimistic tone, emphasizing his commitment to recovery and getting back to the game he redefined.
The surgery announcement comes at a tough time for Tiger Woods. Just days before the Genesis Invitational in February, he learned of his mother’s passing, prompting him to withdraw from the tournament. Since then, he had been focusing on building his fitness at home, only for the effort to result in the injury that now puts him back under medical care. This combination of personal loss and physical setback has reignited discussions about Woods’ future in golf, though his track record of overcoming adversity remains a defining trait of his journey.
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 Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon… pic.twitter.com/KAVZfcRxlE
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 11, 2025
Injury Jeopardizes Masters Return and Raises Career Questions
A ruptured Achilles tendon ranks among the most serious injuries for high-performance athletes, particularly for someone like Tiger Woods, who has a well-documented history of physical challenges. The tendon, critical for movements like walking and running, typically demands a recovery period of six months to a year, depending on the injury’s severity and the patient’s response to rehab. For Woods, who aimed to be in top form for the 2025 Masters—a tournament he has won five times—the injury poses a major setback. The Masters is one of the few events he has rarely missed, with only one absence in his decades-long career.
In recent years, Woods has battled a series of medical setbacks that have limited his time on the professional circuit. In 2021, a severe car accident left him with multiple fractures in his right leg, sidelining him for months before he could return to competition. More recently, in 2024, he underwent back surgery to address chronic pain that had plagued him for years. Despite these obstacles, Woods showed resilience by competing in select PGA Tour events, fueling hopes among fans and analysts that he could still shine in major tournaments. The latest injury, however, casts doubt on those aspirations and renews speculation about retirement.
Even amid this adversity, Woods remains focused on recovery. In his social media post, he described feeling “sharp pain” during training, which led to the diagnosis of a ruptured tendon. Following successful surgery, he was discharged to begin rehab at home. Experts note that age and prior injuries may complicate this process, but Woods’ history of bouncing back from physical setbacks suggests he won’t give up without a fight.
Legacy of Resilience Defines Tiger Woods’ Golf Journey
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in history, with a career that transformed the sport. Over more than two decades, he has secured 15 Grand Slam titles, including five Masters victories, four PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens, and three Open Championships. These achievements place him second only to Jack Nicklaus, who holds 18 major titles, in the all-time rankings. Additionally, Woods shares the PGA Tour record of 82 wins with Sam Snead, cementing his status as a legend in the game.
Yet, Woods’ career has also been shaped by significant challenges. Injuries to his back, knees, and legs have punctuated his journey, requiring surgeries and extended breaks from competition. One standout moment came in 2008, when he won the U.S. Open despite a leg injury, playing through intense pain to claim the title. Another iconic comeback occurred in 2019, when Woods stunned the world by winning the Masters after years of battling physical and personal struggles, delivering one of the most emotional victories of his career.
To grasp the severity of his current injury, consider these key points about the Achilles tendon and recovery:
- The tendon links the calf muscle to the heel, playing a vital role in mobility.
- Surgical repair of a rupture is standard, but rehabilitation involves intensive physical therapy.
- Athletes over 40, like Woods, may face longer recovery times due to reduced tissue elasticity.
These factors indicate a tough road ahead, though Woods’ proven determination could again set him apart.
Timeline of Injuries and Impact on Competition Schedule
Tiger Woods’ career boasts not only an impressive tally of victories but also a notable list of injuries that have shaped his path. Below is a timeline of some pivotal medical moments:
- 2008: Knee surgery following a U.S. Open win despite injury.
- 2014-2017: Multiple back surgeries to address herniated discs and chronic pain.
- 2021: Car accident results in severe right leg fractures, requiring months of recovery.
- 2024: Back surgery to relieve persistent pain, keeping him off the PGA Tour until July.
- 2025: Achilles tendon rupture during home training, followed by surgery.
This chronology underscores Woods’ resilience, as he has repeatedly returned to competition after prolonged recovery periods.
The latest injury directly affects his competition schedule. The Masters, set for April 2025, is the primary event impacted, given Woods’ specific preparations for it. Other PGA Tour majors, such as the PGA Championship in May and the U.S. Open in June, may also be out of reach, depending on his rehab progress. Woods’ absence from these tournaments doesn’t just affect him—it also diminishes the sport’s draw, as he remains one of golf’s biggest crowd-pullers in terms of viewership and prestige.
For now, fans can only watch and wait as Woods navigates his next steps. He has defied the odds before, returning when few believed he could, and his story continues to prove he’s a fighter. Recovering at home, the American remains a central figure in golf, with a legacy that transcends trophies and an influence that inspires the sport’s next generation.

At 49 years old, American golfer Tiger Woods faces yet another hurdle in a career filled with triumphs and setbacks. In a statement shared on his social media, he disclosed that he ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left leg during a training session at home. The injury, which occurred as Woods ramped up his physical preparation for a competitive comeback, required immediate surgery. Now, the athlete is recovering at home, where he plans to focus on rehabilitation to return to the golf course. This incident marks another challenge for one of the sport’s greatest icons, who has already undergone multiple surgeries over the years, including a recent back procedure in 2024.
Woods had been intensifying his training regimen with the goal of competing in the 2025 Masters, one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. Scheduled for April, the event was seen as a key milestone in his return after months away from official competitions. However, the Achilles tendon rupture has derailed his immediate plans, with Woods last playing a PGA Tour event in July 2024. In his message to fans, he expressed gratitude for their support and struck an optimistic tone, emphasizing his commitment to recovery and getting back to the game he redefined.
The surgery announcement comes at a tough time for Tiger Woods. Just days before the Genesis Invitational in February, he learned of his mother’s passing, prompting him to withdraw from the tournament. Since then, he had been focusing on building his fitness at home, only for the effort to result in the injury that now puts him back under medical care. This combination of personal loss and physical setback has reignited discussions about Woods’ future in golf, though his track record of overcoming adversity remains a defining trait of his journey.
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 Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon… pic.twitter.com/KAVZfcRxlE
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 11, 2025
Injury Jeopardizes Masters Return and Raises Career Questions
A ruptured Achilles tendon ranks among the most serious injuries for high-performance athletes, particularly for someone like Tiger Woods, who has a well-documented history of physical challenges. The tendon, critical for movements like walking and running, typically demands a recovery period of six months to a year, depending on the injury’s severity and the patient’s response to rehab. For Woods, who aimed to be in top form for the 2025 Masters—a tournament he has won five times—the injury poses a major setback. The Masters is one of the few events he has rarely missed, with only one absence in his decades-long career.
In recent years, Woods has battled a series of medical setbacks that have limited his time on the professional circuit. In 2021, a severe car accident left him with multiple fractures in his right leg, sidelining him for months before he could return to competition. More recently, in 2024, he underwent back surgery to address chronic pain that had plagued him for years. Despite these obstacles, Woods showed resilience by competing in select PGA Tour events, fueling hopes among fans and analysts that he could still shine in major tournaments. The latest injury, however, casts doubt on those aspirations and renews speculation about retirement.
Even amid this adversity, Woods remains focused on recovery. In his social media post, he described feeling “sharp pain” during training, which led to the diagnosis of a ruptured tendon. Following successful surgery, he was discharged to begin rehab at home. Experts note that age and prior injuries may complicate this process, but Woods’ history of bouncing back from physical setbacks suggests he won’t give up without a fight.
Legacy of Resilience Defines Tiger Woods’ Golf Journey
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers in history, with a career that transformed the sport. Over more than two decades, he has secured 15 Grand Slam titles, including five Masters victories, four PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens, and three Open Championships. These achievements place him second only to Jack Nicklaus, who holds 18 major titles, in the all-time rankings. Additionally, Woods shares the PGA Tour record of 82 wins with Sam Snead, cementing his status as a legend in the game.
Yet, Woods’ career has also been shaped by significant challenges. Injuries to his back, knees, and legs have punctuated his journey, requiring surgeries and extended breaks from competition. One standout moment came in 2008, when he won the U.S. Open despite a leg injury, playing through intense pain to claim the title. Another iconic comeback occurred in 2019, when Woods stunned the world by winning the Masters after years of battling physical and personal struggles, delivering one of the most emotional victories of his career.
To grasp the severity of his current injury, consider these key points about the Achilles tendon and recovery:
- The tendon links the calf muscle to the heel, playing a vital role in mobility.
- Surgical repair of a rupture is standard, but rehabilitation involves intensive physical therapy.
- Athletes over 40, like Woods, may face longer recovery times due to reduced tissue elasticity.
These factors indicate a tough road ahead, though Woods’ proven determination could again set him apart.
Timeline of Injuries and Impact on Competition Schedule
Tiger Woods’ career boasts not only an impressive tally of victories but also a notable list of injuries that have shaped his path. Below is a timeline of some pivotal medical moments:
- 2008: Knee surgery following a U.S. Open win despite injury.
- 2014-2017: Multiple back surgeries to address herniated discs and chronic pain.
- 2021: Car accident results in severe right leg fractures, requiring months of recovery.
- 2024: Back surgery to relieve persistent pain, keeping him off the PGA Tour until July.
- 2025: Achilles tendon rupture during home training, followed by surgery.
This chronology underscores Woods’ resilience, as he has repeatedly returned to competition after prolonged recovery periods.
The latest injury directly affects his competition schedule. The Masters, set for April 2025, is the primary event impacted, given Woods’ specific preparations for it. Other PGA Tour majors, such as the PGA Championship in May and the U.S. Open in June, may also be out of reach, depending on his rehab progress. Woods’ absence from these tournaments doesn’t just affect him—it also diminishes the sport’s draw, as he remains one of golf’s biggest crowd-pullers in terms of viewership and prestige.
For now, fans can only watch and wait as Woods navigates his next steps. He has defied the odds before, returning when few believed he could, and his story continues to prove he’s a fighter. Recovering at home, the American remains a central figure in golf, with a legacy that transcends trophies and an influence that inspires the sport’s next generation.
