An "Achilles rupture" specifically describes a complete tear of the Achilles tendon, meaning the tendon is fully severed. Last year, Bernhard Langer tore his Achilles and returned to competition three months later, but a tear is not as severe an injury as a rupture, which is what Woods suffered.

The injury means Woods almost certainly will miss next month’s Masters and could be doubtful to tee it up at any of this year’s majors.