Tiger Woods undergoes ankle surgery, timetable for return uncertain

Tiger Woods announced on Wednesday that he underwent surgery on his right ankle, which was injured during his 2021 car accident in California.

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According to his Twitter account, Woods, 47, had the surgery in New York City. The surgery was announced by his foundation and was performed by Dr. Martin O’Malley at HSS Special Medicine Institute in Manhattan.

The 15-time majors champion had a procedure that fused the subtalar joint “to address his post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture,” according to Woods’ social media account. The subtalar joint is located just below the ankle joint, between the talus bone and heel bone, according to footcaremd.org.

A subtalar fusion is “appropriate for diseased joints that can’t be replaced,” according to the website. “Once a fusion heals together, it acts as one unit and can restore function and provide significant pain relief.”

The operation will most likely prevent Woods from competing in next month’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, Sports Illustrated reported. Woods’ status for the U.S. Open, which will be held at the Los Angeles Country Club in June, is also in doubt, the magazine reported.

Woods withdrew from the Masters two weeks ago after the suspension of the third round at Augusta National Golf Club. Woods said at the time that he was suffering from a recurrence of plantar fasciitis.

He made the cut in Augusta for the 23rd consecutive time, tying Fred Couples and Gary Player for the all-time record, according to CBS News.

Since his car crash in Southern California, Woods has competed in five tournaments, making the cut four times, according to PGATour.com. He has completed 72 holes in only two of those events, at the 2022 Masters and at this year’s Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club, where he was the host.

Woods tied for 45th at the Genesis, Sports Illustrated reported.

He missed the cut at the 2022 British Open, according to PGATour.com.

Jason Day said at Augusta National that Woods had to withdraw from last year’s PGA Championship because “a screw went through the skin,” according to the website. Woods shot a second-round 69 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa but shot a 79 in the third round before withdrawing, according to PGATour.com.

Woods said he considered his surgery “a success” and “looks forward to beginning his rehabilitation,” according to his Twitter account.

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Photos: Tiger Woods through the years Here are some memorable photos of golf legend Tiger Woods through the years. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)