Tiger Woods has had surgery on his ankle that will likely see him sit out the rest of the 2023 major season while he recovers.
The 47-year-old underwent surgery Tuesday at a private clinic in New York, where Dr. Martin O’Malley performed a sub-ankle fusion procedure that required wearing a splint around the foot and ankle for 8-12 weeks. .
Woods pulled out ahead of the third round of this month’s Masters tournament after looking sore throughout the season-opening main tournament. The surgery, said to have been successful, effectively prevents him from competing in next month’s PGA Championship, July’s US Open, or The Open Championship, which takes place at Royal Liverpool on July 17, in just 90 days. ‘ time.
In a statement from Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg, he said: “Tiger is currently in recovery and looking forward to beginning his rehabilitation. Goal number one is to recover and live a more enjoyable life every day.”
Woods has played sparingly since sustaining serious injuries to his right leg, ankle, and feet in a car accident in February 2021. He has played in only five official PGA Tour events and although he has made the four cut, he has only finished two of those events.
So far in 2023, Woods finished tied for 45th at the Genesis Invitational and withdrew from the Masters on Sunday morning before a rain-delayed round three restart. In his reasons for withdrawing, Woods cited plantar fasciitis, the symptom of which is sharp pain around the heel and arch of the foot.