What is plantar fasciitis, the injury that made Tiger exit the Masters?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Tiger Woods’ painful plantar fasciitis led him to withdraw from the Masters on the final day last year.

Plantar fasciitis is a common ailment that causes stabbing heel pain and is blamed on inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick tissue across the bottom of your foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes.

For people who suffer from it, the pain is worst when they wake up or after the feet have been immobile for a long period. As they move around, the pain usually subsides or at least eases.

Plantar fasciitis is most common in runners and people who are overweight, but doctors don’t entirely understand what causes it.

In Woods’ case, it’s almost certainly related to a devastating car accident that required extensive surgery and recovery. He still hasn’t quite recovered from it.

Woods was injured in 2021 when his car careened off a suburban Los Angeles road at over 85 mph, crushing his right leg so badly that he said doctors considered amputation.

Asked how much hardware held it together, Woods replied: “A lot.”

The 2022 Masters marked his return to professional golf. He’s said he wouldn’t play in the Masters if he didn’t think he could win.

He made the cut in both 2022 and 2023, but his performance isn’t what we’ve become accustomed to from the five-time Masters champion.

His limp was noticeable at last year’s Masters, especially late in the day. It got worse as the weather dampened and temperatures dropped later in the week.

Still, he seemed determined to continue.

“I’ve always loved this golf course, and I love playing this event,” Woods said after his second round Saturday. “Obviously I’ve missed a couple with some injuries, but I’ve always wanted to play here. I’ve loved it.”

The problem for him hasn’t been hitting the ball, but walking the notoriously hilly course at Augusta National.

Woods remains a favorite among the public and an inspiration to many.