Tiger Woods, the acclaimed golf titan, has once again been compelled to postpone the onset of his current PGA Tour season due to a recent surgical procedure. Sports analyst Dan Rapaport speculates this delay could mark the end of Woods' career as he is poised to miss a significant part of the season following Achilles tendon surgery.
Ludvig Aberg, meanwhile, remains hopeful for Woods’ speedy recovery. The 82-time PGA Tour victor’s last appearance was at The Open Championship the previous summer. Woods did manage to participate in TGL, but his team, Jupiter Links GC, unfortunately, did not qualify for the playoffs in Florida.
In 2024, the 15-time major champion participated in merely five PGA Tour starts in a season that saw ups and downs. This included the four major championships following the Genesis Invitational. Rapaport, eager to quash recurring narratives about Woods, expressed his sentiment on his podcast, “Dan on Golf.” He urged fans to abandon the idea that Woods would return to frequent play this year. He emphasized the severity of Woods’ injury, describing it as one of the worst an athlete, particularly a 49-year-old, could endure.
The uncertainty surrounding Woods' recovery period casts a cloud of sadness and disappointment, especially as he will not be competing at the Masters. His recent struggles with physical fitness have been apparent, particularly during critical junctures in tournaments. Although he made it to the course, maintaining steady performance proved an ongoing battle.
Woods pulled out early from the Genesis Invitational but managed a 60th place finish at the Masters. However, his performance waned at the PGA Championship, the US Open, and The Open, with Rapaport remarking on Woods’ lackluster results in the four years since his accident, where the best finish Woods could muster was a T45 at the Genesis Invitational. The pressure on Woods seemed overwhelming as he faced both physical and emotional challenges.
Rapaport brought up the topic of Woods’ injury in relation to golf legend Bernhard Langer, who suffered a similar injury in February 2025. While Langer managed a swift recovery, Rapaport cautioned against drawing parallels between the two athletes, especially considering Woods’ recent emotional upheaval following the death of his mother.
Rapaport acknowledged that Langer, despite being 18 years Woods' senior, was in better physical condition. Coming back from an Achilles injury is a daunting task, even for those at the peak of their careers. He concluded by voicing a sentiment that weighs heavy on many fans: If Woods’ heart isn’t fully invested into his recovery, his anticipated return remains uncertain.
