Tiger Woods announced on social media on Tuesday that while practicing at home in preparation for his return to the PGA Tour this season, he ruptured his left Achilles. This required surgery and the American golfer is currently in the process of recovery.

“While I was working out at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left heel, which resulted in a ruptured heel,” Woods wrote in his statement.

“I am now back home and will focus on recovery and therapy. Thank you everyone for your support . ”

Tiger Woods shares on social media

It’s unclear how long Tiger Woods will be out, and he hasn’t played a PGA Tour event this year. Woods was scheduled to make his season debut at The Genesis Invitational last month, an event he hosts every year, but withdrew shortly after his mother passed away. The only times fans have seen him play golf have been at TGL events. 

With Woods currently out with another serious injury, his professional career is looking very uncertain. 

Woods is one of the greatest golfers in the history of the sport. He has 82 wins on the PGA Tour, tying Sam Snead’s all-time record, and has won 15 majors. That’s second only to Jack Nicklaus, who won a record 18 majors in his career.

However, Woods has been plagued by injuries in recent years, having undergone several major back surgeries and nearly losing his right leg in a car accident in Southern California in 2021.

It was these injuries that forced Woods to significantly curtail his playing schedule. He has repeatedly said that his new goal is to play four majors a year and maybe play one or two more events. Last season, Woods was eliminated in three of the four majors and finished 60th at the Masters. He also withdrew from The Genesis Invitational early that season due to illness.

In fact, Woods has only finished three of his last 13 PGA Tour events since 2020. He has withdrawn or been eliminated from the other 10.

In the short term, Woods will almost certainly not play again on the PGA Tour this season. The Masters next month is not in his plans, and Woods will likely need at least four to six months of recovery. That leaves the 2026 Genesis Invitational as the most likely time for Woods to return, outside of unofficial events like the Hero World Challenge or the PNC Championship. 

Looking further ahead, one wonders how much longer Woods will be playing on the PGA Tour in a full-time capacity, given the limited schedule he has had in recent years. Woods has often said that his biggest problem is walking four days a week on the golf course, due to foot and back injuries. Recovering from a torn Achilles tendon at age 49 certainly won’t make that any easier.