Woods cites aggravated plantar fasciitis as the reason for his withdrawal, bringing an end to his remarkable streak of Masters appearances.
Tiger Woods withdrew from the Masters before the third round could resume on Sunday, citing an injury, and ending his impressive streak of completing all 72 holes of every tournament he has played at Augusta National as a professional. The announcement was made about 90 minutes before play was set to begin, with Woods still struggling from the aftermath of the 2021 car accident that nearly cost him his right leg.
“I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis,” Woods wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to the fans and to @TheMasters who have shown me so much love and support. Good luck to the players today!”
The five-time Masters champion had fought through physical discomfort earlier in the week, limping through both practice rounds and the first two rounds of the tournament. His limp became more pronounced as the weather turned colder and wetter. Woods had made the cut at 3 over on Saturday, despite playing in challenging, cold conditions and heavy rain, which allowed him to extend his Masters streak to 23 straight appearances, tying Fred Couples and Gary Player for the longest in history.
In the third round, Woods faced harsh weather, starting on the 10th hole and immediately bogeying. He followed with another bogey at No. 14 and two consecutive double bogeys after finding water on Nos. 15 and 16. At the time play was suspended due to rain, Woods was 9 over par and in last place among those who made the cut.
This withdrawal marks another setback for the 47-year-old golfer, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, including the aftermath of his 2021 car crash, which left his right leg severely damaged. Doctors had considered amputation, but Woods has defied the odds to continue playing, albeit with a limited schedule.
Woods had previously withdrawn from the final round of the 2022 PGA Championship due to pain in his right foot, following a challenging 79 in cold, windy conditions. The injuries have forced him to focus primarily on the majors and a select few events, and his mobility and endurance have become key concerns for his future in the sport.
Looking ahead, the PGA Championship at Oak Hill in May and the U.S. Open in June—held near Woods’ childhood home—are potential events he may target, though questions about his ability to compete at the highest level persist. However, Woods remains optimistic about his recovery, acknowledging that while his leg may never fully return to its pre-accident condition, he is grateful to still have it. “I’ve said to you guys before, I’m very lucky to have this leg—it’s mine. Yes, it has been altered, and there’s some hardware in there, but it’s still mine,” Woods remarked.
