Tiger Woods, one of golf’s greatest legends, has opened up about the persistent pain that’s been holding him back as he looks to the future. At 48 years old, Woods is still dealing with the fallout from past injuries, including the devastating car accident in 2021 that nearly cost him his right leg. While he hopes for a stronger 2025, the journey to recovery remains challenging.
During a press conference for the 2024 Hero World Challenge, an event he hosts, Woods shared that his physical struggles have made this year one to forget. “I didn’t think my back would go the way it did this year,” he admitted. “I had to toss it away. I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be.”
The ongoing pain in his leg led Woods to undergo another procedure recently. He’s hopeful it will help, but for now, his future in golf remains uncertain. “It was pretty painful toward the end of the year,” he explained. “That’s why I had another procedure to deal with the pain in my leg. Whether I can commit to playing regularly again, I really don’t know yet.”
Reflecting on his recent struggles, Woods acknowledged he hasn’t been able to prepare or perform as he once did. “I didn’t play as much as I needed to for the big championships, and I didn’t play well in them,” he said. “Hopefully, next year will be better. I’ll be stronger, physically and mentally. The procedure helped, and I hope to build on that.”
For now, Woods admits he’s not ready to compete with the best. “These are the top 20 players in the world, and I’m not sharp enough to keep up at this level,” he said. “When I’m ready to compete at this level again, I will.”
In recent years, injuries have repeatedly forced Woods to withdraw from tournaments, taking a toll on both his body and his career. Earlier in 2024, he endured his worst performance ever at the Masters, finishing 16-over par—his highest score in professional golf. Despite this setback, he made history by achieving his 24th consecutive cut at the tournament, a record-breaking moment celebrated by fans and the PGA Tour alike.
Although his bid for another green jacket fell short, Woods remains proud of his resilience. “Not playing a full tournament for such a long time, it was a good fight those first two days,” he said. “Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned after that.”
As Woods continues his recovery, fans around the world remain hopeful for a triumphant return. For now, he’s taking it one step at a time, focused on getting back to his best.
