PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods underwent a less invasive surgery on Tuesday for a ruptured Achilles tendon. This procedure will force him to miss the Masters, and the possibility of him participating in any other major championship this year remains uncertain.
The news of Woods’ surgery was shared on his social media profiles, where he did not provide a timeline for his return or any additional specifics, apart from confirming that the surgery was successful.
“As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured,” Woods said.
FILE – Tiger Woods walks to the green on the fifth hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Georgia.
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File
He said he had a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon that the doctor said went smoothly. Such surgeries involve smaller incisions, and the recovery time is quicker. But most recoveries take at least a month before someone can even put weight on their foot.
Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer had a tear in his Achilles tendon last year that kept him out for three months.
Dr. Charlton Stucken of the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach performed the surgery and said in the post, “The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery.”
The Masters is April 10-13.
Woods set the tournament record last year by making the cut for the 24th time in a row. He missed the cut in the other three majors in 2024. The British Open in July was the last time he played against top competition. He played with his son in the 36-hole PNC Championship in December. Woods also has played his TGL indoor circuit, the 18-hole Seminole Pro-Member last week and a round with President Donald Trump a month ago.
Woods entered the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines until withdrawing because he was still processing the Feb. 4 death of his mother, Kultida.
Woods had a sixth back surgery last September. He had issues with the Achilles tendon before, injuring the left one from hitting a shot at the Masters with an awkward stance. He also cited the left Achilles tendon in withdrawing from The Players Championship in 2011, when he was out for two months.
Woods badly damaged his right leg and ankle in a February 2021 car crash outside Los Angeles.
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