How long is Tiger Woods out? Latest news, injury timeline for return to golf in 2023

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When the world's best tee it up in Los Angeles, Tiger Woods will not be among them.

By his own admission, Woods is nearing the end of his career, and his fairly limited PGA Tour schedule is indicative of that. Woods, though, still plays in golf's major tournaments, with the U.S. Open among them.

That said, Woods won't be on the course in June to vie for his 16th major tournament as he nurses an injury, the latest in a lengthy line of ailments he has endured in the late stages of his career. This time, a bothersome foot forced Woods out of competition, and also cost him a chance at his sixth green jacket in Augusta.

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Here's the latest on Woods and when you may expect to see him on the course again.

How long is Tiger Woods out?

Tiger Woods' exact return date is unclear, with neither the golfer nor his representation offering any immediate updates on his timetable to return to the course.

Given the lengthy rehabs that he's undergone in recent years, don't expect to see him back on the course any time soon, and he won't be on the course for the U.S. Open in mid-June. 

Recovery for a subtalar fusion surgery can take around three months. Woods underwent surgery in April, which would put his recovery timeline on the lengthy end in July. Woods should take swings after that, but a safe bet would be to expect woods not to return to PGA Tour action until later in 2023.

Tiger Woods injury update

On April 19, Woods' Twitter account revealed the golfer underwent a "subtalar fusion," an ankle surgery, to continue to help repair the right leg, and specifically ankle, that Woods injured in his accident in 2021.

pic.twitter.com/qlsq32JpQi

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 19, 2023

Earlier today, Tiger underwent a subtalar fusion procedure to address his post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture.

It was performed by Dr. Martin O'Malley at tHSS 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.

According to FootCareMD, a boot or cast is used for 8-to-12 weeks in recovery, or sometimes longer. That would put Woods out until the summer months, and potentially longer, if he decides to make a comeback this year.

It's unclear how long Woods will be sidelined with the injury, and when he may return to the course. That said, Woods has withdrawn from the U.S. Open, which is set to begin on June 15.

The last major of the year is spaced a month out from the U.S. Open from there, with the Open Championship set to begin on July 16.

Tiger Woods injury timeline

Sunday, April 9: Prior to the resumption of the rain-delayed third round at the Masters, Woods withdraws from the tournament, citing a re-aggravation of his plantar fasciitis. 

Wednesday, April 19: Woods reveals that he has undergone successful ankle surgery to alleviate pain in his surgically repaired right leg.

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Joe Rivera is a senior content producer at The Sporting News and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater, Rutgers University.