Tiger Woods Withdraws from 2023 US Open amid Recovery from Ankle Surgery

The USGA announced Monday that Tiger Woods has withdrawn from the U.S. Open, which tees off June 15 at Los Angeles Country Club.

Woods underwent ankle surgery in April, and the expectation was that he'd need multiple months to make a full recovery.

The 15-time major champion made his 2023 debut at the Genesis Invitational in February, finishing in a tie for 45th at one under. He then made the cut at the Masters in April but withdrew midway through the tournament.

This has become a common cycle for Woods.

All of the wear and tear began adding up for the golf legend as he aged, and the situation became particularly acute in 2014 when he had back surgery. He missed the cut at the U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship in 2015, and he didn't compete in a single major tournament across 2016 and 2017.

The 47-year-old's car crash in February 2021 led many to wonder whether he'd ever be able to compete again. While he did eventually return to the course, he said ahead of the Masters the effects of the crash hadn't totally gone away two years later.

Given the timing of his ankle surgery, Woods was in a race against the clock to get healthy in time for the U.S. Open. His outlook for The Open Championship, which will begin July 20, may not be much better.

It's too early to rule out a comeback altogether this season, but fans are likely to remain cautiously optimistic until he signals he's back to 100 percent.