Trevor Ng
Tiger Woods is a professional golfer with 82 official PGA Tour wins, including 15 majors. In 2025, Woods missed his third consecutive major tournament, the U.S. Open, due to a torn Achilles injury. Despite his absence from the course, Woods remains an influential figure in golf, with courses in the PGA Tour rotation adding yardage to their tees to reduce the advantage of long hitters like himself. This strategy has become known as Tiger-proofing. While there is no indication that Woods has quit golf, his ongoing rehab and recovery raise questions about his future in the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for not participating in the 2025 U.S. Open | Rehab from a torn Achilles |
| Number of times Woods has missed the U.S. Open consecutively | Three |
| Year Woods fired his first agent, Hughes Norton | 1998 |
| Woods' total PGA Tour wins | 82 |
| Number of majors won by Woods | 15 |
| Woods' description of Oakmont | A venue where you can't fake your way to a win |
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What You'll Learn
Tiger Woods' absence from the 2025 U.S. Open
Tiger Woods, the golfing legend, will be absent from the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, marking the fourth time in five years that he will not be participating. Woods is currently rehabilitating from a torn Achilles injury sustained earlier this year, which has prevented him from competing in the 2025 PGA Tour season. While Woods has not officially announced his retirement from golf, his absence from the U.S. Open adds to a series of setbacks and injuries that have impacted his career in recent years.
The 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont holds significance for Woods, as it was the site where he finished runner-up by a single stroke to Angel Cabrera in 2007. Despite his past success, it is unlikely that Woods would have been able to compete at a high level this year, even if he had been healthy. The qualifying field for the U.S. Open no longer includes Woods' name, signalling a shift in the sport and the emergence of a new generation of talented golfers.
While Woods' presence on the golf course used to be a necessity for major tournaments, it is now considered a bonus. The current golf scene is dominated by the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau, who have captivated fans with their impressive skills and charismatic personalities. Woods, a 15-time major champion, now finds himself at a point in his career where he may need to rely on special exemptions to participate in future U.S. Opens.
Woods' absence from the 2025 U.S. Open marks a turning point in the sport, as the golfing world adjusts to the idea of its most iconic figure stepping back from the limelight. While it is uncertain if Woods will ever return to competitive golf, his impact on the sport is undeniable, and his presence will undoubtedly be missed at this year's U.S. Open. Golf fans can only hope to see Woods make a comeback in 2026 and witness him take on the new generation of golfing stars.
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Woods' rehab from a torn Achilles
Tiger Woods has not quit golf, but he is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. On March 11, 2025, Woods announced on social media that he had ruptured his left Achilles tendon and had undergone successful surgery to repair it. The surgery was performed by Dr. Charlton Stucken of the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Stucken described the procedure as a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair and stated that the surgery "went smoothly" and a full recovery was expected.
Woods, a renowned golfer with 82 official PGA Tour wins, has not competed since The Open Championship last summer. In addition to his Achilles injury, Woods also underwent back surgery in September 2024 and played in the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, in December. Woods had initially planned to compete in the Genesis Invitational but opted out following his mother's passing.
The recovery timeline for a torn Achilles tendon can be lengthy, especially for athletes. While modern medical advancements have reduced recovery times for other injuries, a torn Achilles continues to be an injury that keeps athletes away from their sport for an extended period. Woods' age, as he is approaching 50, may also influence his recovery process.
Woods has stated that he plans to focus on his recovery and rehabilitation. While he has not provided a specific timetable for his return to the PGA Tour, he is keeping a close eye on TOUR-sanctioned competitions and maintaining an upbeat attitude. Woods is in good spirits, and his friend and mentor, Fred Couples, has shared positive updates on his progress.
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Woods' former caddies
Tiger Woods has had several caddies throughout his career. Here is a list of his former caddies:
Mike "Fluff" Cowan
Mike Cowan was Woods' first caddie, working with him from the start of his professional career in 1996 until he was dismissed in March 1999.
Steve Williams
Steve Williams is one of the most well-known caddies in the sport and worked with Woods from 1999 until 2011. During this time, Woods was the top-ranked golfer in the world, and Williams was on the bag for 13 of Tiger's 15 major championship victories. They had an impressive partnership, with an average of one Major victory per year. However, their relationship ended in 2011, with Williams citing his disappointment at the timing of their split, given that he had spent the past 18 months working through Tiger's scandal and a major swing change. Woods, on the other hand, was more guarded in his comments, stating that it was a business decision and that he felt it was time for a change. Their once-close relationship has been described as irreparably damaged.
Joe LaCava
Joe LaCava was Woods' caddie from 2011 until 2023. He helped Woods win several tournaments, most notably the 2019 Masters. LaCava has also caddied for several other high-profile golfers, including Fred Couples, Dustin Johnson, and Vijay Singh.
Lance Bennett
Lance Bennett replaced Joe LaCava and first assumed the role of Tiger's caddie at the 2024 Genesis Invitational. He is known for his partnership with Matt Kuchar and has also worked with Sungjae Im, Davis Riley, Juli Inkster, Paula Creamer, and Lorena Ochoa.
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Woods' endorsements
Tiger Woods has become one of the highest-paid athletes of all time, with endorsement deals contributing significantly to his wealth. According to Forbes, Woods' annual earnings are $67 million, including $12 million from on-course winnings and a substantial $55 million from off-course endorsements.
Woods has had endorsement agreements with several major brands, including Nike, with whom he had a 27-year partnership that ended in January 2024. This deal was reportedly worth millions and Woods received a percentage of sales from Nike Golf apparel, footwear, golf equipment, and golf balls. He was frequently seen wearing Nike gear during tournaments and advertisements, making him the ultimate endorser for Nike Golf.
Other notable endorsements include Rolex, Gatorade, TaylorMade, Hero Motocorp, American Express, EA Sports, Bridgestone, and Monster Energy. Woods has also endorsed the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series of video games since 1999 and was involved in the development of the TAG Heuer Professional Golf Watch, which won the iF product design award in 2006.
In addition to his endorsements, Woods has also invested in various businesses, including TGR Design, a golf course designing company, and TMRW Sports, a golf league company in partnership with Rory McIlroy. He also owns a restaurant called The Woods on Jupiter Island in Florida and an indoor mini-golf chain, Popstroke, with locations across the US.
Through his TGR Foundation, Woods is involved in philanthropy, providing educational resources, scholarships, and career development opportunities to underserved youth. His foundation has impacted millions of students worldwide through its programs and initiatives.
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Woods' status as a golf prodigy
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and is one of the most famous athletes globally. Woods, whose birth name is Eldrick Tont Woods, was introduced to golf by his father, Earl Woods, before the age of two. Earl was a single-digit handicap amateur golfer and one of the earliest African-American college baseball players at Kansas State University.
Woods was a child prodigy who appeared on "The Mike Douglas Show" at age two, putting against Bob Hope. He turned professional in 1996 at the age of 20 and, by the end of April 1997, had won three PGA Tour events and his first major, the 1997 Masters, which he won by 12 strokes in a record-breaking performance. He reached number one in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in June 1997, less than a year after turning pro.
Throughout the first decade of the 21st century, Woods was the dominant force in golf. He has won 82 official PGA Tour events, including 15 majors, and holds numerous golf records. Woods is tied for first in PGA Tour wins and ranks second in men's major championships.
Woods has also been a highly successful endorser, with Nike Golf being one of the fastest-growing brands in the sport. He frequently wears Nike gear during tournaments and advertisements for other products. In addition to Nike, he has endorsed Buick, TAG Heuer, and Gillette. Woods has also benefited from the PGA Tour's Player Impact Program (PIP), earning $45 million between 2021 and 2024 for his influence on the sport's popularity.
Woods has experienced several setbacks in his career, including personal problems, injuries, and a highly publicized divorce in 2010. He took a hiatus from professional golf from December 2009 to early April 2010 to focus on his marital issues. Despite these challenges, Woods has demonstrated resilience and made multiple comebacks. In 2019, he won his first major in 11 years at the Masters.
In February 2021, Woods was hospitalized after a car crash and underwent surgery for compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle. He returned to the PGA Tour at the 2022 Masters but indicated that he would only play a few events per year. As of June 2025, his net worth is estimated at $1.3 billion, making him one of the few athletes to achieve billionaire status while still active in their sport.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Tiger Woods has not retired from golf.
No, Tiger Woods is not competing in the 2025 U.S. Open as he is rehabbing from a torn Achilles.
Yes, Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open in 2008 at Torrey Pines.
Tiger Woods has won 82 official PGA Tour events, including 15 majors.
