Top commentator dismisses Tiger Woods as “recreational golfer”

One of the most respected – and outspoken – sports pundits in the USA has dismissed Tiger Woods as a “recreational golfer” following news of the former world No.1’s latest injury nightmare.

Woods, who has not played a competitive round on tour for eight months, underwent surgery on Tuesday for a ruptured Achilles tendon.

No timetable has been suggested for his return to golf but some medical experts have hinted that he might not play again this year.

That prompted Stephen A. Smith to deliver a withering assessment of the 49-year-old on ESPN’s sports talk show First Take.

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“I mean no disrespect,” said Smith. “But to me, Tiger Woods is a recreational golfer at this point.

“We know how he’s the all-time greatest, we get that. But his health is so bad. He’s gone through so many physical tragedies.

He added: “I literally look at Tiger Woods and I don’t even think about his game. You know what I think about? One day, because that’s all you got.

“You walk 18 holes, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – he ain’t making it.

“Literally, you don’t even think about his swing, ya’ll. You don’t think about his short game, his mid-game, you don’t think about him driving off the tee.

• “I ruptured my Achilles last year. This is what faces Tiger Woods.”

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“All you think about is he can’t make it through four days walking before you even think about him swinging.

“Walking the 18-hole course is not something he can do anymore, and that has been the case for years.

“And that’s all I mean when I say he’s recreational. Because he can’t do it anymore.”

Woods has not made a start on the PGA Tour since missing the cut during last summer’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

In September 2024, he underwent microdecompression surgery for nerve impingement in his lower back – his sixth surgery on his back in a decade.

He was in the field for the Genesis Invitational last month only to withdraw following the death of his mother Tida.

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Head of Content