Tiger Woods has undergone successful surgery on his ankle to address arthritis, 10 days after he withdrew from The Masters after reaggravating plantar fasciitis.
The surgery was carried out by Dr. Martin O’Malley at HSS Sports Medicine Institute in New York on the 47-year-old.
The 15-time major champion pulled out of this year’s tournament at Augusta National ahead of the resumption of the third round on the final Sunday due to reaggravating his plantar fasciitis.
An update posted on Woods’ social media on Wednesday confirmed he has since had surgery to address arthritis stemming from ankle problems.
“Earlier today, Tiger Woods underwent a subtalar fusion procedure to address post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture,”
the statement said.
“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, 47, appears a major doubt for next month’s PGA Championship, with his chances of playing at the US Open in June and Open Championship in July also unclear.
Dr Mallon wrote on Twitter: “It usually takes 6 weeks to 3 months for the fusion to take effect, and Tiger will have limited weight-bearing during that time, which again will be at the surgeon’s discretion, and also depends on how the fusion is healing.
“Can he play golf again? Yes, but that’s at least 6 months to a year in the future. His tournaments for 2023 are likely over, and I would not be surprised to not see him play again until Augusta 2024.
“Can he play golf well again? Depends on your definition of well. He’ll never be the Tiger of 2000 or even 2015. The fact that this is his right foot/ankle is the saving grace, as you need motion in your left foot/ankle as you roll over it near impact.”
Woods, making just his second start of the year in The Masters, battled cold and wet conditions to close a second-round 74 on Saturday morning and secure a record-equalling 23rd consecutive cut in the tournament.
