Tiger Woods shared on Tuesday that he has suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon, which will require a long recovery period away from the golf course.
In a post on X, Woods explained that he experienced sharp pain in his left Achilles while ramping up his training and practice at home, and the injury was diagnosed as a ruptured tendon. He mentioned that Dr. Charlton Stucken from the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida, performed a minimally-invasive surgery to repair the tendon.
Woods concluded the post by stating that he is now at home, focusing on his recovery and rehabilitation, and thanked his supporters for their encouragement.
Tiger Woods has not provided a specific timeline for his return to golf, but according to the Cleveland Clinic, most Achilles tendon ruptures typically require four to six months for recovery.
This injury is yet another setback for Woods, who has faced multiple challenges due to injuries in the latter part of his career. Earlier this year, he had taken time off from the sport to mourn the death of his mother and had participated in TGL matches but not in full tournaments.
In his announcement, Woods shared a statement from Dr. Charlton Stucken, who performed the surgery, confirming that the procedure had been successful and that Woods is expected to make a full recovery.
Woods had been training to return after undergoing back surgery in September, which prematurely ended his 2024 season. He was absent from this week’s Players Championship, a tournament he has won twice. In December, Woods had stated that he was not yet physically ready to compete at the highest level and still needed more time to recover and train for upcoming events.
Woods explained that over time, his back condition had worsened despite treatments and rest, and an MRI revealed that the situation was not improving. He acknowledged that he still needed to continue his training to give himself the best chance for future competitions.
Tiger Woods has been carefully testing his body as he continues his recovery, trying to make steady progress without pushing too hard. He expressed his desire to avoid setbacks, saying, “I just want to keep making progress and give myself the best chance going into next year.” Woods believes he’s getting stronger and more flexible but acknowledges that he still has a long way to go before being able to compete at the highest level again.
This latest injury comes after Woods underwent his sixth back surgery, following a major recovery from severe leg injuries he sustained in a car crash in California in February 2021.
Woods’ career began at an extraordinary pace, but a combination of personal scandals, injuries, and time away from the sport interrupted his legendary trajectory. Despite these challenges, he still enjoys a loyal fanbase who eagerly follow him when he returns to the course.