Tiger’s Trials: Shocking Injury History Revealed as Nicklaus Concedes Woods Could Have Surpassed His Record

The prospect of golf without Tiger Woods was always on the horizon, primarily due to the passage of time.

As he approaches his 50th birthday at the end of this year, Woods has often reminded us that “Father Time is never defeated”.

Yet for Woods, the persistent tide of injuries has been the true barrier preventing him from departing the game on his own terms.

His most recent setback, shared via social media, disclosed a ruptured left Achilles tendon that required surgery on Tuesday. Although it was a minimally invasive procedure, it rules him out of the upcoming Masters and likely sidelines him for the remainder of the year.

“It’s disappointing,” remarked Rory McIlroy on Wednesday while attending The Players Championship.

“Tiger hasn’t had much luck with injuries and his body lately. I hope he’s managing well and still keeping his spirits up. It seems we won’t see him compete this year, but let’s hope for a return in 2026.”

There’s an air of uncertainty surrounding Woods, the player who transformed golf into a captivating spectacle, driving up TV ratings and skyrocketing prize purses. His remarkable prowess is underscored by 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour titles, yet he had been without a formidable challenger—until injuries and surgeries began to mount.

Compounding his struggles, Woods’ mother, Kultida, passed away last month, prompting him to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational to take time to grieve. He also opted out of The Players Championship, which marks the final year of his exemption for winning the 2019 Masters.

Another year appears to slip through his fingers as he races against time, and the litany of injuries and ailments is daunting.

Troubles with his left knee, lower back issues, two stress fractures in his left tibia during his 2008 US Open triumph, right Achilles tendon injury while running, and a left Achilles tendon injury from an awkward shot at the Masters—all contribute to a lengthy list.

Six back surgeries, including a critical procedure to fuse his lower back in 2017, as well as a car accident in Los Angeles that nearly cost him his right leg. He also has plantar fasciitis, a strained oblique, and surgery on his right ankle.

Despite the setbacks, Woods persisted, remaining a sought-after attraction, although his attendance was often restricted to major events. Since the 2021 car crash, he has played in eight majors, completing the full 72 holes only twice—both at the Masters—without ever being a serious contender.

It once seemed plausible that Woods could surpass Jack Nicklaus’ benchmark of 18 major victories, but with every injury, that prospect has grown dimmer.

“Had he stayed healthy, I believe he would have achieved it,” Nicklaus shared in a recent interview with Golf Channel. “But health issues plagued him. Everyone endures injuries, but Tiger had his share of significant problems. It’s unfortunate.”

Woods last claimed a major title at the 2019 Masters, a stunning victory given that just two years prior, he struggled to ascend the stairs to the Masters Club dinner. Later that year, he secured his record-equalling 82nd title on the PGA Tour in Japan.

That remains his last triumph; since then, he hasn’t truly contended for a win.

Nicklaus never intended to play merely for ceremonial purposes. He continued to compete in all majors for over a decade following his last victory at the 1986 Masters.

Has golf bid farewell to Woods? He holds a lifetime exemption for the Masters and PGA Championship, and is eligible to play the British Open for another decade. He still retains the option to exit the game on his own terms, but his health will influence that decision significantly.

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF 35 INJURIES AND SURGERIES BY TIGER WOODS

• December 1994: Undergoes surgery on his left knee to remove two benign tumours and scar tissue.

• December 13, 2002: Has surgery on his left knee to expunge fluid within and outside the ACL and to remove benign cysts. Misses the season opener in 2003.

• August 2007: Ruptures the ACL in his left knee while jogging on a golf course post-British Open but continues to compete, winning five of his final six tournaments, including the PGA Championship, his 13th major.

• May 2008: Advised prior to the US Open that he has two stress fractures in his left tibia and should rest for six weeks, the first three weeks on crutches.

• June 24, 2008: Eight days post-US Open victory, he has surgery to repair his left knee’s ACL using a tendon from his right thigh and addresses additional cartilage damage. He misses the rest of the season.

• December 2008: Sustains an Achilles tendon injury in his right leg while preparing to return to the sport.

• November 27, 2009: Hospitalised overnight due to a sore neck and a cut lip requiring five stitches after crashing his SUV into a tree.

• May 9, 2010: Withdraws from the final round of The Players Championship, citing a bulging disc. Later reveals it was a neck issue causing tingling in his right side, first surfacing as he ramped up his Masters preparation.

• April 10, 2011: Injures his left Achilles tendon while playing from an awkward position below Eisenhower’s Tree on the 17th at Augusta National.

• May 12, 2011: Withdraws from The Players Championship after shooting 42 on the front nine. Diagnosed with an MCL sprain in his left knee and a left Achilles tendon strain. Misses the following two months, alongside two majors.

• March 11, 2012: Experiences tightness in his left Achilles tendon and withdraws after 11 holes of the final round at the Cadillac Championship at Doral. Wins in his next start at Bay Hill, marking his first PGA Tour victory post-scandal.

• August 24, 2012: Exhibits stiffness during the second round of The Barclays, later attributing the issue to back pain from a soft mattress at his hotel.

• June 13, 2013: Seen shaking his left arm during the opening round of the US Open, later identifying it as a left elbow strain sustained during his Players Championship win a month earlier. Misses two tournaments but returns at the British Open.

• August 11, 2013: Reports feeling tightness in his back during the final round of the PGA Championship.

• August 21, 2013: Two weeks after the PGA Championship, collapses to his knees in the final round of The Barclays due to back spasms.

• March 2, 2014: Withdraws after 13 holes in the final round at The Honda Classic due to lower back pain and spasms, describing it similarly to what he felt at The Barclays.

• March 9, 2014: Completes the final 12 holes despite lower back pain, which flared up after an awkward bunker shot at the Cadillac Championship. Scores 78, the worst final round score of his career.

• March 19, 2014: Withdraws from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to ongoing back pain, having been the two-time defending champion.

• March 31, 2014: Undergoes surgery in Utah for a pinched nerve.

• April 1, 2014: Announces he will miss the Masters and will not return to competitive golf until the summer.

• September 16, 2015: Undergoes a second microdiscectomy to remove a disc fragment pinching his nerve.

• October 28, 2015: Receives a third surgery described as a follow-up to alleviate discomfort.

• February 3, 2017: Withdraws from the Dubai Desert Classic before his second round due to back spasms; he began with a 77.

• April 19, 2017: Has surgery to fuse his lower back.

• May 30, 2017: Attributes a DUI arrest, where he was found asleep at the wheel of a parked vehicle, to a reaction to prescription medication.

• March 4, 2019: Withdraws from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a neck strain he had had for two weeks.

• August 9, 2019: Withdraws after a score of 75 in the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs opener, citing a strained oblique.

• August 27, 2019: Announces he underwent arthroscopic surgery the previous week to repair minor ligament damage in his left knee.

• January 19, 2021: Discloses he had a fifth microdiscectomy to remove a pressurised disc fragment from his back.

• February 23, 2021: Involved in a vehicular accident while driving over the speed limit, suffering multiple fractures to his right leg and trauma to his right ankle.

• April 9, 2023: Withdraws from the Masters rather than play 28 holes in cold weather, attributing it to a re-aggravation of plantar fasciitis.

• April 19, 2023: Announces he had a subtalar fusion procedure on his right ankle to help with post-traumatic arthritis.

• September 13, 2024: Announces a sixth back surgery targeting a nerve impingement.

• March 11, 2025: Undergoes surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left foot, an injury sustained while intensifying his training regimen.