Harper Lin
Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of all time, has had a challenging few years marked by injuries and surgeries. After a serious car crash in 2021, Woods has faced questions about whether he should retire from professional golf. While he has continued to play in some tournaments, his performance has been impacted by his physical condition, with his best result being a 60th-place finish at the 2024 Masters. Woods himself has acknowledged the challenges of keeping up with the rigorous practice regimens required to compete against the best players in the world. With his recent surgery for a ruptured left Achilles tendon, it seems unlikely that Woods will be able to compete in any of the Majors this year. As his influence extends beyond his athletic prowess, many are left wondering what the future holds for the golf legend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of tournaments played since 2023 | 7 |
| Best result | 60th place at the 2024 Masters |
| Number of missed cuts | 3 |
| Number of withdrawals | 2 |
| Best finish | 18th place |
| Latest injury | Ruptured tendon in left Achilles |
| Number of Majors won | 15 |
| Age | Approaching 50 |
| PNC Championship | Could ride in a cart for 36 holes while partnering his son, Charlie |
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What You'll Learn
Tiger Woods' history of injuries
Tiger Woods' career has been defined by numerous injuries, including to his knees, wrist, back, neck, Achilles tendon, and shoulder.
In December 1994, the golfer had surgery to remove scar tissue and two benign tumours from his left knee. In 2002, he underwent another procedure on his left knee to remove a cyst and drain fluid from around one of his ligaments. Despite this, he bounced back to win the Buick Invitational in 2003.
In 2006, Woods suffered an injury to his left shoulder muscle. The following year, he ruptured the ACL in his left knee while running on a golf course after the British Open. In 2008, he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee again to repair cartilage damage and was advised that he had two stress fractures in his left tibia. He ignored doctors' advice to use crutches for three weeks and went on to win his 14th major title.
In 2011, Woods suffered an MCL sprain and a mild strain to his left Achilles tendon during the Masters. That same year, he withdrew from the Players Championship due to issues with his knee, Achilles, and calf, taking a three-month break before returning to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August.
Woods' injuries continued to plague him, with back issues and spasms in 2014, causing him to withdraw from several tournaments. He also experienced a neck injury in 2010, with an MRI revealing an inflamed facet joint. Additionally, he tore his right Achilles tendon in 2008, which resurfaced in 2009, and injured his right Achilles again in 2011.
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His recent surgery
Tiger Woods has had a long history of back issues, with his first reported instance of back pain occurring in 2014, forcing him to withdraw from the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. He underwent surgery for a pinched nerve in his spine that same year. From 2014 to 2021, Woods underwent five microdiscectomy surgeries on his back, with the last one occurring just a month before he was involved in a serious car accident in 2021. The accident resulted in significant injuries to his lower body, including comminuted open fractures to his right leg and trauma to his right ankle, which required the insertion of a rod, screws, and pins for stabilization.
In September 2024, Woods underwent his sixth back surgery, a microdecompression procedure on his lumbar spine to address a nerve impingement in his lower back. The surgery was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi at the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida. Woods expressed optimism about the surgery, stating that he hoped it would alleviate the back spasms and pain he had been experiencing throughout the 2024 season. He also mentioned looking forward to rehabilitation and returning to normal life activities, including golf.
This recent surgery was the latest in Woods' efforts to manage his back pain and improve his health. Before this procedure, Woods had spoken about always feeling soreness and stiffness in his back. The microdecompression surgery specifically targeted a nerve impingement in his lumbar spine, which is a common issue that athletes face. This procedure has a relatively low chance of the disc herniating again, but patients are typically advised to avoid bending, lifting, and twisting immediately after surgery to ensure a successful recovery.
Woods has not shared a timetable for his return to golf following this recent surgery. While he had hoped to play more frequently in 2024, his plans did not come to fruition due to ongoing health challenges. The intensive nature of spine surgery and the importance of proper alignment during the procedure highlight the complexity of Woods' situation. With each subsequent surgery, the chances of requiring another one increase due to the altered biomechanics of the spine and the potential for adjacent segment disease.
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Woods' age and physical condition
Tiger Woods, born on December 30, 1975, is currently 49 years old. He stands at a height of six feet and one inch (185 cm) and weighs 185 lbs. Woods turned professional in 1996 at the age of 20. By the end of April 1997, he had won three PGA Tour events and his first major, the 1997 Masters, which he won by a record-breaking 12 strokes. He was ranked number one in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in June 1997, less than a year after turning pro.
Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and is one of the most famous athletes globally. He has achieved numerous accolades and titles throughout his career, including 11 PGA Player of the Year awards and the PGA Tour. Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021. He is also a five-time winner of the Masters Tournament, with his latest victory coming in 2019, where he won by one stroke.
Woods has experienced several injuries throughout his career, including a torn rotator cuff that prevented him from pursuing a career in baseball, similar to his father. In addition to physical injuries, Woods has also faced personal challenges, including a highly publicized divorce in 2010 and several relationships that have ended in separation.
Despite his age and physical condition, Woods continues to be a force in the world of golf. He is a co-owner and player for the Jupiter Links Golf Club, founded in November 2023 with investments from David Blitzer. Woods also offered commentary on the challenge presented by Oakmont ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open, demonstrating his ongoing involvement in the sport.
Woods has also passed on his passion for golf to his son, Charlie Woods, who recently won his first American Junior Golf Association tournament. Charlie beat a field of 71 other junior golfers from around the world, including the AJGA's No. 1 ranked player, showcasing his talent and potential to follow in his father's footsteps.
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The possibility of social or exhibition play
Tiger Woods has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. In 2021, he was involved in a single-car crash that left his right leg disfigured. He has also had back issues and, most recently, ruptured his left Achilles tendon, requiring surgery. This latest injury has led to speculation about whether his professional career is over.
Woods himself has said that his body can no longer endure the practice regimens required to compete against the best players in the world. However, he still has a lot of irons in the fire, including a simulator league, an apparel brand, a golf course design business, and an active role in PGA Tour governance.
While Woods may no longer be able to compete at the highest level, there is still a possibility for social or exhibition play. The PNC Championship in December is one such event where Woods could participate. The tournament pairs major winners with a family member for a two-day round of easygoing golf. Woods could ride in a cart for 36 holes while partnering with his son, Charlie, a high school junior who has already made a name for himself in the golf world.
In addition to the PNC Championship, there may be other social or exhibition events that Woods could participate in from time to time. While his days of competing at the highest level may be over, Woods can still stay involved in the game he loves and that he has done so much for. It may be time for him to transition to a more ceremonial role, as some have suggested, and continue to inspire the next generation of golfers, including his son.
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Woods' influence on the world of golf
Tiger Woods is not finished with golf. In fact, his son, Charlie Woods, is following in his father's footsteps, having won his first American Junior Golf Association tournament. Tiger and Charlie are regulars at the PNC Challenge, an annual December event that pairs major winners with a family member for a two-day round of golf.
Tiger Woods has had a profound influence on the world of golf. He is credited with making golf "cool", attracting many young athletes to take up the sport and shifting its perception from a leisurely game to a competitive sport with a thriving industry. Woods introduced discipline, athleticism, and charisma to the sport, becoming a modern-day golf idol and inspiring new generations of golfers.
Woods was also one of the first mixed-race golfers to achieve success, bringing a more diverse audience to golf. His unique swing, which has been widely emulated, has influenced modern tour players' ball-striking capability and distance. One of the longest drivers, Rory McIlroy, was heavily influenced by Woods as a child, and the "Tiger squat" is now a common feature in many professional golfers' swings.
Woods' success and influence have also created a challenge for him. With his last major win several years ago, he is now just another contender in a sport with many legitimate contenders, making it difficult for him to live up to the expectations he set. However, Woods' legacy in golf remains significant, and he continues to be an influential figure in the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
Tiger Woods has undergone several surgeries and has been plagued by injuries since 2008. Woods himself has said that his body can no longer endure the practice regimens required to play against the best players in the world. He is out indefinitely and will not be playing in any of the Majors this year.
Tiger Woods has suffered from a disfigured right leg after a 2021 car crash and has also had surgery on his ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025.
Tiger Woods has an apparel brand, a golf course design business, a tournament he hosts, and an active role in PGA Tour governance. He also plays golf with his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship, an annual December event that pairs major winners with a family member.
Tiger Woods is a 15-time Major winner and has ruled the world of golf for 20 years. He is arguably the greatest golfer ever and has won 82 PGA Tours, including the Zozo Championship in October 2019.
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