Tiger Woods might be facing a career crossroads after his latest injury setback, and some big names in golf think it could be time for him to consider stepping away from competitive play.
The 15-time Major champion recently suffered a ruptured Achilles while practicing at home, forcing him to miss The Masters and potentially the entire Major season.
It’s another tough blow for the 49-year-old legend, who’s already battled back from numerous injuries, including serious leg issues from his 2021 car crash.
Two-time US Open champion Andy North thinks Woods has nothing left to prove.
“If he didn’t have any children, I don’t think he’d be playing now,” North said during an ESPN press conference. “One of the reasons he’s worked so hard after the accident was because it gave him a great opportunity to spend time with Charlie and play golf with his son.”
The father-son connection runs deep. North revealed that Charlie sometimes comes home from school and challenges his dad to play nine holes, showing how golf has strengthened their bond.
But this latest setback could be different.
“This next rehab is going to be brutally difficult for him,” North explained. “If he were to announce in the next month or two that he’s never playing competitive golf again, I think that would be great, and no one would have an issue with that.”
Woods hasn’t said anything about retiring, though. He turns 50 in December, which would make him eligible for the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
Curtis Strange, another two-time US Open winner, sees a different potential role for Woods – one that legends like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer once filled.
“I want to see him at Augusta for a long time in the future playing,” Strange said. “The people would love to see him, much like they saw Jack and Arnie. I think we need those people around, to be around the younger generation, to answer questions, to show them how to play golf courses.”
Strange believes Woods’ presence alone brings value to the sport.
“The people can’t get enough of him. We can’t get enough of him,” he added. “It would be sad that he wouldn’t come back here and play in the future, but what the future holds, we have no idea.”
Whatever Woods decides, his impact on golf is already legendary. The only question now is what his next chapter might look like.
