Tiger Woods Undergoes Surgery for Ruptured Achilles Tendon, Missing Masters

Tiger Woods has announced that he underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. This injury will prevent him from participating in the upcoming Masters Tournament, raising concerns about his availability for other major championships throughout the year.

Woods shared the news via his social media accounts, providing limited details but confirming that the surgery was successful. He explained that during his training and practice sessions at home, he experienced a sharp pain in his left Achilles, which was subsequently diagnosed as a rupture.

The procedure, performed by Dr. Charlton Stucken at the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, involved smaller incisions than traditional surgeries, which typically allows for a quicker recovery. However, patients usually need at least a month before they can bear weight on the affected foot. Last year, two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer faced a similar injury and was sidelined for three months.

Dr. Stucken expressed optimism about Woods' recovery, stating, "The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery."

The Masters is scheduled to take place from April 10-13. Woods made history last year by achieving a record 24 consecutive cuts at the tournament. Unfortunately, he missed the cut in the other three major championships of 2024. His last competitive appearance was at the British Open in July, although he did participate in the 36-hole PNC Championship in December alongside his son.

Woods had entered the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines but withdrew, citing the need to process the recent passing of his mother, Kultida. Additionally, he underwent his sixth back surgery last September. This is not the first time Woods has encountered issues with his Achilles tendon; he previously injured it while attempting a shot at the Masters and withdrew from The Players Championship in 2011 due to a similar ailment.

In February 2021, Woods suffered severe injuries to his right leg and ankle in a car accident in Los Angeles, which has significantly impacted his career and recovery timeline.