Tiger Woods undergoes "successful" ankle surgery but likely OUT of the majors

Is the end nigh for Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour following his latest surgery?

Andy Roberts's picture
Wed, 19 Apr 2023
Tiger Woods undergoes "successful" ankle surgery but likely OUT of the majors

Tiger Woods underwent  a "successful" subtalar fusion procedure on Wednesday according to a statement on his social media channels. 

The update comes just 10 days after Woods, 47, was forced to withdraw from The Masters during the third round at Augusta National. 

Woods was urged to quit after that. 

The former World No.1 recently spoke of being in "constant pain".

Woods' latest surgery on his ankle was carried out by Dr. Martin O'Malley at HSS Sports Medicine Institute in New York.

He is now said to be "recovering and looking forward to beginning his rehab."

It remains unknown as to when Woods will return to the PGA Tour.

Woods needs just one more victory on the circuit for the outright record. 

He currently shares top spot with late great Sam Snead on 82 wins. 

Acording to Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport, it would seem highly likely that Woods will miss out on the remaining three majors in 2023. 

"Cleveland Clinic says 6-12 weeks until you can put any weight on the ankle," tweets Rapaport.

"Then it's walking in a boot. Then it's rehab. I'd be surprised if he plays in any of the remaining 3 majors in 2023."

The next major is the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill from May 18 to 21. The US Open then takes place at at Los Angeles Country Club from June 15 to 18, with The Open at Royal Liverpool from July 20 to 23. 

A statement on Woods' social media accounts read: 

"Earlier today, Tiger underwent a subtalar fusion procedure to address his post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talas fracture.
"It was performed by Dr. Martin O'Malley at HSS Sports Medicine Institute in New York City. He has determined the surgery to be successful.
"Tiger is currently recovering and looks forward to beginning his rehabilitation."

Woods has endured multiple injuries down the years on the PGA Tour. 

He'd had numerous back surgeries prior to his horror car crash in February 2021. 

That saw Woods suffer compound fractures to his right leg and a shattered ankle.

He then returned to competitive action but soon revealed he had developed plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Woods has played in just five tournaments the past 12 months. 

Two of those events saw him withdraw (2022 US PGA, 2023 Masters) and he missed the cut at the 150th Open Championship, which saw him reduced to tears as he crossed the famous Swilcan Bridge at St Andrews. 

In his other two tournaments, he finished 47th at the 2022 Masters and tied 45th at the 2023 Genesis Invitational. 

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