A well-known doctor says Tiger Woods might not be able to play golf again until 2026 after surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon.

Woods said on Tuesday that he got hurt again, the latest in a long line of injuries, while training at home before the Masters at Augusta National next month, where he might be able to play competitively again.

The 15-time major winner hasn’t played in an official event since the Open Championship at Royal Troon last year. However, he did play in a few games in the TGL indoor tournament that he started with Rory McIlroy.

The surgeon who did the surgery on Woods, Dr. Charlton Stucken, said it went “smoothly.” The former world number one is expected to fully heal, but no time frame was given.

Consultant certified physiotherapist Sammy Margo told the PA news agency, “The first two weeks after surgery are the hardest. You shouldn’t move or put weight on your leg.

Then there’s early rehab, which lasts for about two to six weeks and involves slowly adding weight. After that, you move on to a protective boot that lets you bear more weight for about six to twelve weeks, and then you start to move on after three to six months.”

“Usually, it takes a professional athlete like Tiger Woods four to six months to fully recover and perform at their best. After that, it takes another six to nine months to return to professional competition, and finally twelve months for full recovery.”

“I don’t like to bet, but I think he won’t play competitive golf again until 2026.” This isn’t just a sprain; it’s a major break.

Woods has beaten the odds many times during his career by coming back from injuries. For example, he played again after almost losing his right leg in a car accident four years ago.

In recent years, though, he’s had trouble keeping even a light schedule. Of the five official games he started in 2024, he only finished all 72 holes in one of them.

“He’s clearly going to put everything he has into getting better, and I’m sure he’s doing everything he can,” Margo said.

“You can make things better for healing, but you can’t go against nature.”

At a certain age, everyone needs a certain amount of time to recover, even professional athletes.” People who are 49 years old heal a lot more slowly than people who are 23 years old.

“It’s also important to remember that Tiger has had a lot of other injuries before this one. Some things just happen, no matter how good you are.”

The Genesis Invitational, which Woods hosts, was set to happen last month, but Woods didn’t play because his mother died.

When he hits 50 in December, he’ll be able to play on the senior tour and, if needed, will be able to use a buggy.

The Independent is the most free-thinking news outlet in the world. It gives people who think for themselves global news, opinion, and analysis. A lot of independent-minded people around the world read our work and trust our speech and dedication to making the world a better place.

Our goal of making things better has never been more important than they are now.

Tiger Woods Suffers Serious Injuries to His Leg, Ankle, and Foot

Tiger Woods hurt his leg, ankle, and foot very badly with a lot of force. From what the news said, he had an open, segmental tibia fracture. The tibia, which is the long bone in the shin, was broken several times and went through the skin.

A long metal rod was put into the top of the tibia to keep it stable. He hurt his ankle and some of his foot bones as well. With a mix of plates and screws, ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) was used to strengthen these fractures.

Trauma to the muscle and soft tissues which required surgical release” is another thing that the news release talks about. This shows that he had a dangerous buildup of pressure in his muscles.

This is called compartment syndrome, and it often happens after serious injuries like these. This disease could kill a limb if it is not treated right away.

Loss of Talus

There have been reports that Tiger Woods hurt his talus. It is not clear if this is on the same leg as where he hurt his tibia or on a different leg.

There is a bone called the talus that goes from the ankle to the foot. Moving the foot and ankle up and down and side to side is controlled by this joint.

If you hurt your talus badly, it can make it very hard to move and use your foot and ankle. When you hurt your talus, you could end up with arthritis in your ankle, subtalar, or talonavicular joints, which can make it very hard to move your foot and ankle.

That which is called avascular necrosis is the worst case. This is when the bone actually dies. A total talus replacement is a better way to treat this injury. One of the few places in the United States that does this treatment is the orthopedic foot and ankle center.