Tiger Woods and the word “injury” have become far too familiar a combination. Woods has been constantly pushing through one injury after another, making it promising for fans to see him soon in competition. But his latest setback, a new Achilles tendon issue, has raised concerns once again. With the 2025 Masters Tournament starting on April 7, many fans are doubting if Woods will even be able to participate.
Woods’s road to recovery remains uncertain, and at 49, the question of whether he will return to competitive golf looms larger than ever. Since his last PGA TOUR start at The 2024 Open Championship, he has navigated yet another back surgery, a limited appearance at the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie, and the emotional weight of his mother’s passing earlier this year. His absence from The Genesis Invitational, a tournament hosted by his foundation, TGR, further underscored the challenges he faces both physically and personally. With each setback, the toll of injuries becomes more pronounced, and as age inevitably catches up, the margin for recovery narrows.
Even well-known veteran golfer Bernhard Langer had some concerning thoughts to share about the GOAT’s injury and how fans might not be ready to hear about the coming future. Given Langer’s own battle with an Achilles tear last year, his perspective carries weight.
During the Hoag Classic pre-tournament press conference, Langer didn’t hold back with advice, saying, “Well, I would tell him to make sure he does all the rehab, which I’m sure he will, and take his time. Many of us are impatient and want to come back as quick as possible, especially him. I think he’s had so many issues lately that it’s tough to be away and get hurt again and be away again. He’s hardly played any competitive rounds. But this kind of injury takes time to heal, especially at the age he’s at as well. He’s not 20 anymore.”
For a player who has made some of the most astonishing comebacks in sports history, the news was met with both concern and anticipation. And Langer, speaking from experience, had a lot to say about it.
Langer emphasized how important the recovery process is. “Anyways, that would be my advice, just follow the protocol and take your time, rather give it a week more than a week less.” Interestingly, Langer himself faced a significant injury last year when he tore his Achilles tendon playing pickleball. At an age when most players would consider retirement, he instead underwent surgery and an intense rehabilitation process, returning to competitive golf within months.
Woods took to Instagram to reveal his latest injury, stating that discomfort in his ankle had persisted, prompting further evaluation. Dr. Stucken, who performed Woods’s surgery, reassured fans that the procedure was successful, stating, “The surgery went smoothly, and we expect a full recovery.” Woods himself later confirmed that he was back home, focusing on recovery and rehab. However, his statement, shared on social media, notably omitted any timeline for his return, leaving questions about when—or if—he will tee it up competitively again.
Meanwhile, how have fellow golfers felt about the GOAT’s new injury?
“It sucks,” Rory McIlroy on Tiger Woods’s Injury
Rory McIlroy, fellow founder of TGL, weighed in on Woods’s injury earlier this week at The Players Championship. “It sucks,” McIlroy admitted on Wednesday. “Yeah, he doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. Obviously, he was trying to ramp up to get ready for Augusta, and Achilles surgeries obviously aren’t fun. Hoping he’s in good spirits and hoping he’s doing OK.”
While Woods has yet to share a timeline for his return, McIlroy was realistic about the challenge ahead. “We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we [will] see him maybe play in 2026,” he said. “He’ll try. I know he’ll try. But that’s a question for him, not for me. I obviously don’t know what’s in his head, but judging by prior behavior, he’ll definitely try.” With Woods turning 50 real soon, his days in the PGA Tour have also become numbered, however, if he still wishes to continue playing on the Senior Tour, he will definitely need to prioritize his recovery more than making an appearance before he is even ready.
Even former PGA Tour pro-Paul Gow had a lot to say on this particular issue in his recent interview with FOX Sports Australia. Everyone has their eyes set on whether the G.O.A.T of the golf world will come out of this as he was before. For Woods, the road to recovery has never been easy, but history suggests it’s never impossible. With the Masters looming, all eyes will be on whether he can make yet another stunning return to Augusta. If there’s one thing the golf world has learned, it’s never to count Tiger Woods out.
The post ‘He’s Not 20 Anymore’: Tiger Woods’s Career in Trouble as Bernhard Langer Draws on Own Achilles Tear Experience appeared first on EssentiallySports.
