Why is Tiger Woods not playing in the Masters 2025?
The five-time winner isn't on site.
A stacked field at the Masters will contend the first major of the year at Augusta National – but there is one notable absentee in Tiger Woods.
The 15-time major champion has won five times at Augusta throughout his storied career, most recently in 2019 to end an 11-year major drought.
However, much to the dismay of those in attendance, Woods will not be teeing it up in competition this year after suffering his latest injury setback.
The 49-year-old last missed the tournament in 2021 due to severe leg injuries he sustained during a car crash in February that year.
This time around, however, the American will not be able to compete after rupturing his Achilles as he built up to the event last month.
Announcing the news on social media at the time, Woods said: ‘As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured,’ Woods said.
‘This morning, Dr Charlton Stucken of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Florida performed a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair for a ruptured tendon.
‘I am back home now and plan to focus on my recovery and rehab, thank you for all the support.’
Woods, who finished 60th in last year’s event, has not competed on the PGA Tour since the Open in July and underwent latest back surgery in September 2024.
He had been planning a comeback at the Genesis Invitational in February but withdrew after the death of his mother, Kultida.
In lieu of Woods’ presence, all eyes are likely to be on the world’s top two players – Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy – who are expected to battle it out for the Green Jacket.
Scheffler, the defending champion, is hoping to become the first player since Woods in 2002 to win the Masters in back-to-back years.
The American has had a quiet start to year but showed signs of form with a T2 finish at the Houston Open in his last start before this week.
McIlroy, meanwhile, has two wins in his five PGA Tour starts this year, including at the Players Championship last month, and needs a win at Augusta to become just the sixth player to achieve a career Grand Slam.
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