Tiger Woods opens up on foot injury

Albany, Bahamas - Tiger Woods will not pursue surgery on the foot injury that saw him withdraw from this week's Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Tiger Woods has reportedly opted not to get surgery on his foot injury.
Tiger Woods has reportedly opted not to get surgery on his foot injury.  © Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The 15-time major champion was due to play his first competitive event since missing the cut at The Open back in July but has been suffering with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Woods had been scheduled to play three events in December, though it remains to be seen if he will play at all.

The legendary American athlete had been aiming to up his workload, having played only three times last season due to the broken leg he sustained in a car accident in February 2021.

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He explained that his latest issue will be treated with a "stretch and relax" method rather than going under the knife.

"You don’t want to go down the surgical route," Woods told the Golf Channel. "Injections, surgical, or just stretch and relax, and I chose to stretch and relax."

"Get off your feet, which I have done and continue to do. Also sleep at night with a boot on; try to stretch it out."

The injury, according to the PGA Tour's official website, affects around two million people in the United States and causes a stabbing pain near the heel as a result of an inflammation of a thick band of tissue.

Woods explained how playing full 18-hole rounds is tricky with the injury.

"When you first step out of bed, it's like, 'Oh my God,'" he added.

"It's just a long haul. I just can't walk for too long a period of time."

Cover photo: Christian Petersen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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