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Rory McIlroy offers bold Tiger Woods prediction after surgery announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 10:46 PM ET

Tiger Woods shared that he underwent surgery on Tuesday for a ruptured Achilles he injured while training at home; his timetable for return to golf is unknown.

After Woods played his final TGL match on March 4, he said, “My heart is really not into practicing [for The Players] right now. I’ve had so many other things to do with the Tour and trying to do other things."

Woods, 49, hasn't played an official tournament since last year's British Open.

He has suffered a myriad of injuries throughout his career including his third back surgery in 2017, left knee surgery in 2019, a microdiscectomy procedure on his back in 2021 and significant injuries to his right leg and ankle that required surgery following a car crash one month later.

Rory McIlroy spoke about Woods' injury misfortunes while preparing for The Players at TPC Sawgrass on Wednesday.

“It sucks,” McIlroy said, via ESPN. “He doesn't have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body,” McIlroy said. “Obviously, he was trying to ramp up to get ready for Augusta, and Achilles surgeries obviously aren't fun. Hoping he’s in good spirits and hoping he’s doing OK."

McIlroy emphasized Woods' resilience in how he knows that his goal will be to return to golf despite the setback — as it always has been.

“We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026,” McIlroy said. “He’ll try,” McIlroy said. “I know he’ll try. But that's a question for him, not for me. I obviously don’t know what’s in his head. But judging by prior behavior, he’ll definitely try.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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