Rory McIlroy makes Tiger Woods prediction after devastating setback

Rory McIlroy is convinced Tiger Woods will at least try to mount yet another comeback despite his latest devasting injury blow.

Woods, 49, announced on Tuesday that he had undergone surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon, a setback that’s likely to rule him out for the entire major season.

The 15-time major champion, who has not played a competitive tour event since The Open last July, revealed the crushing news in a short statement on social media.

“It sucks,” his close friend McIlroy told reporters at The PLAYERS.

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“He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. Obviously he was trying to ramp up to get ready for Augusta, and Achilles surgeries obviously aren’t fun. Hoping he’s in good spirits and hoping he’s doing okay.

“We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026.”

By that stage, Woods will be 50 and eligible to compete on the Champions Tour, yet many observers are now wondering if this might well be it for the golf icon.

But knowing Woods as he does, McIlroy isn’t convinced he’s ready to walk away for good.

“He’ll try,” McIlroy said when asked if thinks Woods will aim to be competitive again. “I know he’ll try. But that’s a question for him, not for me. I obviously don’t know what’s in his head. But judging by prior behaviour, he’ll definitely try.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, is adamant that he will step away from the game on his own terms.

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“I think when I’ve achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don’t think I can maybe do that anymore,” the 35-year-old said when asked about his own retirement plans.

“I’d also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank. I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should. Put it that way.

“There’s always one more, but that’s okay. I think if you can come to terms with that and walk away on your own terms, then that’s a good thing.”

Whatever the future holds for McIlroy, don’t expect to see the four-time major champion to be teeing up on the senior circuit in 15 years’ time.

“Absolutely not, I will not play Champions Tour golf,” he laughed. “I’ve said a lot of absolutes in my time that I’ve walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.