Rory McIlroy believes Tiger Woods will miss Augusta and not play competitive golf until 2026 after an injury blow.
The 15-time major winner is yet to compete on the PGA Tour this season and will not feature at the Masters with the competition less than a month. Woods revealed on Tuesday that he has undergone surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon. Dr Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery said the operation went well and that “full recovery” is expected.
However, friend and fellow golfing giant Rory McIlroy believes Woods comeback will be a while yet. Giving an instant reaction he said: “It sucks.” The Northern Irishman added: “He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. 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 okay.
“We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026.”
Asked if Woods could be competitive when he returns, McIlroy added: “He’ll try. 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 behaviour, he’ll definitely try.”
The 49-year-old has barely competed since missing the cut at the British Open last summer. Woods has struggled to fulfil even a limited schedule in recent years and completed 72 holes in just one of the five official events he started in 2024.
