Why isn’t Tiger Woods playing in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont?

Tiger Woods first won the U.S. Open back in 2000. He repeated that feat in 2002 and 2008. But as the 125th U.S. Open tees off on Thursday, June 12, at Oakmont Country Club, the name of the 15-time major champion will not be seen. Although anyone following his story will not be surprised with the reason.

Why isn’t Tiger Woods playing the 2025 U.S. Open?

The answer traces back to March, when Woods was ramping up his training schedule at home. In his own words: “I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured.” That diagnosis was confirmed almost immediately, and the 48-year-old underwent surgery on March 11.

The procedure, a minimally-invasive Achilles tendon repair, was performed by Dr. Charlton Stucken in West Palm Beach. While the doctor expressed optimism about a full recovery, the reality is that Woods is expected to be out for the rest of the 2025 golf season. That included the Masters, which he attended in April as a spectator, the PGA Championship, and now the U.S. Open.

How serious is this latest injury?

Very. While a ruptured Achilles is not necessarily career-ending, for someone with Woods’ history, it complicates things further. This is just the latest in a brutal string of injuries going back over a decade – spinal fusions, knee surgeries, and that devastating car crash in 2021.

Tiger Woods’ playing record over the last 10 years

1. 2015: 11 tournaments with four cuts, one WD and best result T10 at the Wyndham Championship.
2. 2016: One tournament at the Hero World Challenge (15)
3. 2017: Two tournaments - Best finish Hero World Challenge (T9)
4. 2018: 19 tournaments - Two cuts and and a win at the 2018 Tour Championship and second place at the PGA Championship
5. 2019: Two cuts and a win at the 2019 Masters
6. 2020: Three tournaments, cut at 2020 US Open and T38 at the Masters
7. 2021: No tournaments
8. 2022: Three tournaments: Masters (47), PGA Championship WD and British Open (cut)
9. 2023: Three tournaments: Masters (WD), best finish Hero World Challenges (18)
10. 2024: Played in five tournaments: 3 cuts, 1 WD and finished in last place at the Masters +16

Will we see Tiger Woods compete again?

Tiger’s made multiple comebacks before, and winning the 2019 Masters remains one of the most remarkable moments in modern sports. But he’s now approaching 50 and returning from a major tendon rupture. If this comeback happens, it’s likely to be even slower and more limited than before. But his draw remains, and we’ll all be watching when it comes.

Although not playing in the U.S. Open, Woods did have some advice for the competitors, which he posted on Instagram.

“There is no faking about Oakmont. The golf course is big, yes, but it’s just -- there is no way around it. You just have to hit the golf ball well, and it favors longer hitters, just because of the degrees, the complexes.

“It just helps so much to be coming with shorter iron, to be able to sock the ball. It’s about missing the ball on correct spots ... because if you don’t, it’s horrible!”

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