Rory McIlroy and Golf Fans Heartbroken, Shed Tears, and Pray for Legend Tiger Woods After This Heartbreaking Announcement…👇
AVONDALE, LA – April 27, 2025 – The golf world is reeling today after a devastating announcement from Tiger Woods, who revealed he will not return to competitive golf this year following a severe Achilles injury sustained earlier this year. The news, shared via Woods’ official X account just hours after the Zurich Classic 2025 concluded, left fans and players alike in tears, including Rory McIlroy, who has long cited Woods as his childhood idol. As Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo celebrated their Zurich Classic victory at 22-under, the mood shifted to somber reflection as the sport grappled with the absence of one of its greatest icons.
Woods, 49, disclosed on March 12 that he underwent surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon, an injury that occurred while he was ramping up practice for the Masters in April. Despite hopes of a recovery in time for a late-season return, Woods announced today that his rehabilitation has hit significant setbacks, ruling him out for the remainder of 2025. “The road to recovery has been tougher than expected,” Woods wrote on X. “I won’t be able to compete this year, but I’m committed to coming back stronger in 2026.” The announcement comes after Woods already missed the Masters earlier this month, a tournament he has won five times, due to his ongoing recovery from multiple back surgeries and the lingering effects of a 2021 car crash that nearly cost him his leg.
Rory McIlroy, who finished the Zurich Classic at 17-under with partner Shane Lowry, was visibly emotional during a post-round interview with Golf Channel. “Tiger’s been my hero since I was a kid,” McIlroy said, his voice cracking. “Watching him win the Masters in 1997 inspired me to chase this dream. To hear he won’t play this year—it breaks my heart. We all just want to see him back out here.” McIlroy, who recently completed the career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters, added, “I pray he gets through this. Golf isn’t the same without him.”
Fans echoed McIlroy’s sentiments, taking to social media to express their grief. One X user wrote, “Tiger Woods not playing in 2025 is devastating. I’m in tears—he’s the reason I fell in love with golf.” Another posted, “Praying for Tiger. He’s fought back so many times; I believe he’ll do it again.” The outpouring of emotion underscores Woods’ monumental impact on the sport, having won 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour events, tying the all-time record. His absence at Augusta earlier this month—where he also skipped the Champions Dinner due to his ongoing grief over his mother Kultida Woods’ passing in February—already left a void, and today’s news has only deepened the sense of loss.
Woods’ injury history has been a grueling saga. Since his 2021 car crash, which resulted in severe leg injuries requiring multiple surgeries, he has struggled to return to consistent play. His most recent competitive appearance was at The Open in July 2024, where he missed the cut. Despite this, McIlroy remains optimistic about Woods’ future. “He’ll try to come back in 2026—I know he will,” McIlroy said. “Tiger’s a fighter. He’s done it before, like in 2019 at the Masters. I believe in him.” Golf legend Jack Nicklaus also weighed in, stating earlier this month that he expects Woods to dominate the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50 in December.
As the golf community mourns Woods’ absence, the focus at Zurich Classic shifted to Salinda and Velo’s triumph, though the celebration was bittersweet. The rookies’ 22-under finish secured their first PGA Tour title, but even they acknowledged the shadow cast by Woods’ news. “Tiger’s a legend,” Salinda said. “We all grew up watching him. I hope he knows we’re all rooting for him.” With Woods sidelined, the sport faces an uncertain year ahead, but fans and players alike hold onto hope that the icon will once again defy the odds.