by Tiger Woods could be sidelined until 2026 after undergoing surgery for an Achilles Rompu tendon, according to a prominent physiotherapist.
Woods revealed on Tuesday that he had undergone the last in length of a long line of injuries while training at home before a possible return to competitive measures during the masters next month in Augusta National.
The 15 -time winner did not play in an official event since the open championship last year in Royal Troon, although he appeared in a certain number of games in the TGL indoor competition which he co -founded with Rory McILroy.
While I started to accelerate my own training and train at home, I felt a great pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed broken.
This morning, Dr. CHARLTON STUCKEN of the hospital for special surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida, made a little invasive Achilles tendon … pic.twitter.com/kavzfcrxle
– Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) March 11, 2025
Dr. Charlton Starden, who operated on Woods, said that surgery took place “gently” and that the former world number one should recover completely, although no time scale has been given.
The eligible physiotherapist, consultant, Sammy Margo, told the AP news agency: “The immediate phase after surgery is up to two weeks, when you do not make fun and you are not carrying.
“Then, early rehabilitation is approximately two to six weeks when you gradually take a charge, then go to a little more weight in a protective boot of about six to 12 weeks, then you start to go from about three to six months.
“As a general rule, for a professional athlete like Tiger Woods, the recovery calendar would be four to six months of basic recovery, six to nine months for a return to professional competition and probably about 12 months for complete recovery and optimal performance.
“I am not a woman in Paris, but it is likely that he will not return to the competition golf until 2026. It is not a minor sprain, it is a serious break.”
Woods challenged the chances of returning many injuries throughout his career, including returning to action after getting closer to losing his right leg in a car accident four years ago.
However, he has struggled to achieve even a limited calendar in recent years and has carried out 72 holes in one of the five official events he started in 2024.
“He will obviously devote himself to his recovery and I am sure he does everything he can do,” added Margo.
“You can optimize the healing conditions, but you cannot challenge nature.
“There are natural deadlines for recovery at a given age, even if you are a professional athlete. The healing rate at the age of 49 is considerably slower than at the age of 23.
“You should also consider that Tiger has had a good amount of other injuries at the first time, so regardless of your quality, nature followed its course.”
Woods was to play in Genesis Invitational from last month – a tournament he organizes – but took leave after the death of his mother.
He will be 50 years old in December and will be eligible to play on the senior tour, where he will be authorized to use a buggy if necessary.
