Tiger Woods hasnt played once since Xander | Golf News

Golf legend Tiger Woods has been absent from the skilled scene for almost a 12 months, fueling rumors of an impending retirement.

At 49, Woods’ legacy as one of golf’s biggest gamers is plain. With a report of 15 main titles, 82 PGA Tour victories, and 683 weeks at the highest of the world rankings, his place in historical past is secure.

Yet, this hasn’t stopped followers and fellow gamers from speculating about when he’ll hold up his golf equipment, particularly given his current dip in kind and accidents.

Colin Montgomerie prompt that Woods take into account retiring after a much less than stellar efficiency at final 12 months’s U.S. Open, where he missed the cut. Speaking to The Times, Montgomerie expressed a nostalgic want: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him.

“There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he didn’t appear to take pleasure in a single shot, and you suppose, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon and he will not take pleasure in it there either.”

“There is a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye, but it’s extremely tough to inform Tiger it is time to go. Obviously, he still feels he can win. We are more practical.”

However, Xander Schauffele didn’t take kindly to these remarks, and leapt to Woods’s defence, emphasizing his importance to the sport: “Whether it is his sincere opinion or not, the sport of golf wants him [Woods], wants him desperately. Selfishly, I would like him to play as long as doable. It just helps all of the blokes out right here, just with the quantity of eyeballs that somebody like Tiger Woods brings to golf.”

Woods himself contested Montgomerie’s stance when providing his insights on retirement during a pre-tournament press conference for last year’s Open Championship, stating: “Well, as a previous champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin’s not. He’s not a previous champion, so he is not exempt. So he would not get the chance to make that resolution. I do.”

Despite his status, Woods did not make the cut at Royal Troon last July and hasn’t played since then. In September, Woods announced he had undergone a surgical procedure—microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine—to relieve “spasms and ache” experienced throughout 2024.

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Woods’ return was initially set for the Genesis Invitational in February, but the passing of his mother, Kultida, postponed his comeback. He expressed online: “I deliberate to tee it up this week, but I’m just not prepared. I did my best to put together, figuring out it is what my mother would have needed, but I’m still processing her loss.”

Woods suffered a rupture in his left Achilles tendon during home follow periods, main to surgical procedure in March. This harm sidelined him from the Masters the next month.

The surgeon who carried out the operation also confirmed that Woods shall be out of commission for all of this 12 months’s remaining majors, including the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow taking place this week.

Over the years, Woods has claimed victory at the event 4 occasions, with wins in 1999, 2000, 2006, and 2007. However, come Thursday, all eyes shall be on Jordan Spieth.

The Texas-born golfer may doubtlessly observe in Rory McIlroy’s footsteps by securing the profession Grand Slam. McIlroy clinched the Masters back in April, including the coveted Green Jacket to his assortment of PGA Championship, US Open and Open Championship titles, making him only the seventh man to win all 4 majors.