Tiger Woods gives groundbreaking update on surgically repaired ankle

Tiger Woods is set to return to PGA Tour action at the Genesis Invitational on Thursday, and the 15-time major champion has fully recovered from his remarkable ankle surgery

Tiger Woods declared his surgically repaired ankle is ‘pain-free’ as he prepares to play his first PGA Tour event of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.

Woods who is also hosting the tournament, has not featured on Tour since competing at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last December. It’s the first competitive outing of the season for the 82-time PGA Tour winner.

Forced to play a limited schedule in recent years due to physical ailments, Woods featured just three times on Tour in 2023. He played at the Genesis Invitational last year before returning for the Masters where he struggled and withdrew with an ankle injury.

Woods missed the next eight months as he recovered and rehabilitated before finally returning at the end of the year. While the 15-time major champion is still adjusting to his newly re-constructed body, he is excited to play without wincing.

“My ankle doesn’t hurt any more – the bones aren’t rubbing any more,” Woods told reporters. “But then again it’s different – other parts of my body have to take the brunt of it, just like my back is fused and so other parts of my body have taken the brunt of that.

“I have two different body parts that are now fused. Other parts of the body have to adapt.”

Woods’ last win on the PGA Tour was at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan. The victory meant he equalled Sam Snead’s record of 82 Tour victories, and the former World No. 1 is hoping to play in one event per month if his health allows.

Ultimately, Woods does not want to slow down, adding: “As far as the love, I still love competing, I love playing, I love being a part of the game of golf. This is the game of a lifetime and I don’t ever want to stop playing.”

It has been an interesting offseason for Woods. He has remained a loyal voice for the PGA Tour in the battle with LIV Golf, while the icon sensationally ended his 27-year partnership with Nike.

Earlier this week, Woods announced the launch of his new brand called ‘Sun Day Red’ (SDR) – a reference to the colour he wears on the final day of tournaments. He will hope the dawn of a new era brings him good fortune as he looks to secure a first win on the PGA Tour in four years.