Photos Of Tiger Woods Throughout The Years Speak Volumes About His Health Struggles

Tiger Woods has had an impressive golfing career. After all, you don't win the prestigious Masters Tournament five times without staying in competitive shape and training hard. But Woods has also had some serious health struggles over the years. And in 2026, one of those struggles will keep him off the Masters greens, according to an official statement from the Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters is held (via X). 

One of Woods' earliest health-related challenges was stuttering. Extended periods of stuttering affect around 5% of children, notes The Stuttering Foundation. Most youngsters who stutter eventually stop, including Woods, who outgrew his difficulties through intense practice. As Woods shared in an interview, "I went to a school to try and get over that [stuttering], and I just would work my tail off" (via ESPN).

In recent years, the pro golfer has had other health problems — some of which required surgeries — that affected his well-being and ability to play.

Woods has a long history of requiring surgical intervention on his knees, starting in 1994. Throughout the years, he's required surgery to remove tumors and scar tissue in his knee, drain fluid from a mass in one knee, and repair damage to his knee cartilage. 

During an interview for Vision Magazine in 2017, Woods admitted, "I'm always going to be a little bit sore" when asked about his knee operations. (If you need knee surgery, read what to expect during a knee arthroscopy.)

In addition to knee surgeries, Woods has undergone seven back surgeries to address various concerns (including nerve impingement and sciatica-related pain), all between 2014 and 2025 (via Becker's Spine Review). 

In an interview for Vision Magazine that took place after his first three back operations, he noted that he felt good, but not great. He also acknowledged previously having doubts about being able to remain as an "elite" player because of his multiple operations and the time and effort it took to recover from them.

As if his back surgeries weren't bad enough, Woods pushed back through back spasms on the golf course in 2024 while playing at the Genesis Invitational. As Woods explained to a reporter, "[his] back was spasming the last couple holes and it was locking up" (via ESPN). 

Back spasms can vary in severity and are more likely to occur in people like Woods who have had some serious back-related issues (per Cleveland Clinic).

Playing golf involves using the whole body, and especially the shoulders and arms. In fact, a 2006 review in Sports Medicine lists shoulder overuse injuries as commonplace among golfers.

Consequently, it might not come as a surprise that Woods had a bout with a left shoulder blade injury in 2006 (per National Club Golfer). However, the issue was muscular and didn't seem to greatly affect his performance at the WGC-American Express Championship tournament, which he won.

A serious one-car crash in 2021 left Woods with significant injuries that required emergency surgical treatment. He sustained damage to his right foot, ankle, and leg, described as "significant orthopaedic injuries" that required a "long" surgical procedure (via X).

The accident left Woods unable to play professionally for more than a year. However, he was able to compete in the Masters Tournament in 2022 (via Golf Channel). Some have called Woods' Masters return a testament to modern medicine.

This wasn't the first car incident that resulted in Woods sustaining injuries. In 2009, he ran into a hydrant near his home, leaving him with scratches on his face.

Woods has also been involved in driving-related incidents due to suspected substance misuse. The first occurred in 2017, ending with a reckless driving charge. Woods said he fell asleep behind the wheel due to the prescription drugs he was taking.

In 2026, Woods was pulled over for suspected driving under the influence (DUI), would not consent to a urine test, and was subsequently charged. On the heels of his arrest, Woods said (via X) that he was "stepping away" to "seek treatment" and "work toward lasting recovery" — hence his absence from the 2026 Masters tournament.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).