Tiger Woods will be forced to sit out of the Masters again this year (Image: GETTY)
Tiger Woods will not be playing at the Masters this weekend.
It’s almost time for the Masters, with many of golf’s biggest names set to battle it out for glory at Augusta National. The field is stacked from top to bottom and will be headlined by Scottie Scheffler, who is looking to defend the title he won last year. One former champion will not be involved, though, with Tiger Woods being forced to sit out of this year’s tournament.
The 49-year-old is arguably the most famous face in golf, transcending the sport at the peak of his powers in the early 2000s. He still has the ability to draw in massive crowds, attracting people who might not turn up without him on the entry list. That will not be the case this weekend, though, with Woods unable to take part.
Express Sport looks at everything we know about his absence from this year’s event…
Why is Tiger Woods not playing at the Masters?
Woods is not playing at the Masters because he is recovering from a serious injury, the latest in a long line of physical ailments. Last month, he ruptured his left Achilles tendon and was forced to undergo surgery.
He revealed his injury diagnosis with a statement on social media, which read: “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.
“This morning, Dr Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon.
“I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab. Thank you for all the support.”
Last week, Woods caused a stir when he told fans that he would be teeing up at the Masters against all odds. However, he confirmed just minutes later that it was an April Fools joke designed to wind up his fans.
He initially said: “I can’t believe I am saying this, but a few weeks after rupturing my left Achilles, sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber plus the explosive lifts my doctors and trainers have me ready to play the Masters next week! Can’t wait! See y’all on the course.”
Around five minutes passed before Woods confirmed that he was only joking in a follow-up message, which read: “P.S. April Fools my Achilles is still a mess :).”
Woods has not competed on the PGA Tour since last July. He underwent a staggering sixth back surgery in September and the Masters had been earmarked as a hopeful return date before his latest setback.
There is no timetable set for when Woods might return to the course, but he is likely to be sidelined until late 2025 or early 2026.
