![Has Tiger Woods retired from professional golf? Could he play at The Open? Legend recovering from emergency ankle operation Has Tiger Woods retired from professional golf? Could he play at The Open? Legend recovering from emergency ankle operation](https://trangangolf.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/23150242/412962084_779100577563268_3371857793184435682_n.jpg)
Golf legend Tiger Woods’ potential retirement has been one of the sport’s major talking points in recent years.
Woods’ career looked to be over in 2021 after a horrific car crash that almost led to him having to have his right leg amputated.
However, he made a spectacular return to the sport, albeit not as the same player he was before the injuries, with the 15-time Major champion limiting his play.
The impact of Woods’ incident has been clear to see at every tournament, with the legend struggling with his movement through rounds.
And it has led to many questions as to whether he should continue to put himself through the pain or finally end his professional career.
Has Tiger Woods retired from golf?
No, Woods has not yet retired from professional golf.
However, he hinted at a possible retirement earlier this year before having to pull out of the Masters through injury last month.
When asked if it was going to be his last Masters, he said: “I don’t know how many more I have in me. Just to be able to appreciate the time and cherish the memories.
“I’m very lucky to have the leg. Mobility and endurance – going forward it will never be the same. I can’t prepare and play as many tournaments as I’d like but that’s ok and I’m ok with it.”
And now as we know, he had to leave the tournament after his foot injury, which was a consequence of his career-threatening car crash, flared up during his third round.
His discomfort was very clear to see at Augusta in April and he has not featured in a tournament since.
Could he play at The Open?
Woods is absent from the PGA Championship this week and is expected to miss the US Open in June too.
The Open Championship is next on the calendar in July and he will have to recover his latest operation quickly to feature.
The 47-year-old had to undergo an emergency ankle operation last month, going through open surgery to fix painful joints in his foot together.
Recovery from this type of procedure is typically 10-12 weeks and The Open was 13 weeks away when he underwent the surgery.
So he will have to come back almost instantly after going through his recovery which may be a huge risk.
But he has made one miraculous return before, so who says he can’t do it again?