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.

There is no timetable for Woods's return, although Dr. Charlton Stucken of the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Fla., who performed the Achilles repair operation, said in a statement that he is expecting "a full recovery."