Woods and McIlroy have become close off the course, but after Tiger's injury, it's unlikely they play together again until 2026

As Tiger Woods begins his recovery from yet another injury, Rory McIlroy has firmly dismissed any notion of his own career stretching into his 50s. The 49-year-old Woods ruptured an Achilles while training at home on Tuesday morning and McIlroy believes he will not feature in any of the 2025 Majors.

If you watched how Rory McIlroy birdied the 18th hole on Thursday at The Players, you will likely remember his closing three for quite some time. After missing the short grass again off the tee, McIlroy’s ball settled down in the pine straw to the right of the fairway.