Tiger Woods will not compete in the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic, set for June 26-29 at Detroit Golf Club. The 15-time Major champion remains sidelined as he recovers from a ruptured left Achilles tendon, an injury sustained during training this March, which has kept him out for most of the 2025 PGA Tour season.
Woods underwent successful surgery on March 11, performed by Dr. Charlton Stucken in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to his team. Despite the procedure’s success, there have been no indications that Woods will return to competitive golf soon or enter upcoming PGA Tour events, including this summer’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Overview of the Rocket Mortgage Classic Field Without Woods
Without Tiger Woods, the Rocket Mortgage Classic will still boast a strong lineup of players, featuring top competitors such as Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, and Max Homa. The tournament will once again be held at Detroit Golf Club, a par-72 course stretching nearly 7,000 yards, renowned for its unique Area 313 charitable challenge, which takes place on holes 14 through 16.
This year’s prize fund is approximately $9.6 million, with the champion set to receive an estimated $1.728 million. The event invites a robust field of PGA Tour players as they compete for both glory and charitable contributions linked to the tournament’s signature challenge.
Insights Into Woods’ Injury and Limited 2025 Participation
Tiger Woods last participated in the 2024 Open Championship, where he missed the cut. Since then, his 2025 season has been disrupted by injury, forcing him to withdraw from both the Masters and the PGA Championship earlier this year. His recent Achilles tendon rupture, sustained during training, represents another setback continuing his struggle following a serious car crash in 2021.
Woods’ ongoing recovery has led to a complete absence from PGA Tour events so far in 2025, raising questions about his immediate and long-term playing prospects on the main tour.
Perspectives on Woods’ Future in Professional Golf
Longtime friend Rory McIlroy voiced skepticism earlier this year about Woods’ ability to maintain competitive form past age 50, given his history of injuries. ESPN analyst Andy North acknowledged Woods’ strong motivation, especially inspired by his son Charlie, but suggested Woods may eventually transition focus to the PGA Champions Tour after reaching 50 years old.
“He’s still highly motivated, largely inspired by his son Charlie, but believes that the focus may eventually shift to the PGA Champions Tour once he turns 50.” —Andy North, ESPN Analyst
“Tiger Woods’ longtime friend Rory McIlroy expressed doubt earlier this year about the former continuing to play at a competitive level past age 50, especially following the string of injuries he’s faced since his 2021 car crash.” —Rory McIlroy, Professional Golfer
Full Roster of Competitors for the 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic
The Rocket Mortgage Classic field includes a broad and diverse group of PGA Tour players vying for victory in Detroit. Below is the complete list of entrants:
- Byeong Hun An
- Mason Andersen
- Aaron Baddeley
- Akshay Bhatia
- Keegan Bradley
- Ryan Brehm
- Jacob Bridgeman
- Hayden Buckley
- Rafael Campos
- Patrick Cantlay
- Frankie Capan III
- Ricky Castillo
- Cameron Champ
- Will Chandler
- Luke Clanton
- Wyndham Clark
- Dominic Clemons
- Eric Cole
- Trevor Cone
- Ben Cook
- Vince Covello
- Quade Cummins
- Joel Dahmen
- Cam Davis
- Cristobal Del Solar
- Taylor Dickson
- Nick Dunlap
- Nico Echavarria
- Austin Eckroat
- Tony Finau
- Patrick Fishburn
- Steven Fisk
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Rickie Fowler
- Brice Garnett
- Ryan Gerard
- Doug Ghim
- Noah Goodwin
- Will Gordon
- Chris Gotterup
- Max Greyserman
- Ben Griffin
- Lanto Griffin
- Emiliano Grillo
- Adam Hadwin
- Harry Hall
- Nick Hardy
- Garrick Higgo
- Harry Higgs
- Joe Highsmith
- Ryo Hisatsune
- Lee Hodges
- Rico Hoey
- Charley Hoffman
- Nicolai Højgaard
- Rasmus Højgaard
- Max Homa
- Rikuya Hoshino
- Beau Hossler
- Mark Hubbard
- Stephan Jaeger
- Zach Johnson
- Takumi Kanaya
- Chan Kim
- Michael Kim
- Si Woo Kim
- Tom Kim
- Chris Kirk
- Kevin Kisner
- Kurt Kitayama
- Patton Kizzire
- Jake Knapp
- Philip Knowles
- Ben Kohles
- Matt Kuchar
- Michael La Sasso
- Nate Lashley
- Thriston Lawrence
- Min Woo Lee
- David Lipsky
- Luke List
- Justin Lower
- Peter Malnati
- Ben Martin
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Matt McCarty
- Ashton McCulloch
- Max McGreevy
- Mac Meissner
- Keith Mitchell
- Francesco Molinari
- Taylor Moore
- Collin Morikawa
- William Mouw
- Trey Mullinax
- Alex Noren
- Henrik Norlander
- Thorbjørn Olesen
- Kaito Onishi
- John Pak
- Ryan Palmer
- Jeremy Paul
- Victor Perez
- Paul Peterson
- Chandler Phillips
- Aldrich Potgieter
- Seamus Power
- Andrew Putnam
- Chad Ramey
- Matthew Riedel
- Davis Riley
- Patrick Rodgers
- Thomas Rosenmueller
- Kevin Roy
- Antoine Rozner
- Sam Ryder
- Isaiah Salinda
- Gordon Sargent
- Adam Schenk
- Greyson Sigg
- Ben Silverman
- Webb Simpson
- David Skinns
- Alex Smalley
- Brandt Snedeker
- Jackson Suber
- Adam Svensson
- Jesper Svensson
- Davis Thompson
- Michael Thorbjornsen
- Braden Thornberry
- Alejandro Tosti
- Sami Valimaki
- Erik van Rooyen
- Kevin Velo
- Kris Ventura
- Karl Vilips
- Camilo Villegas
- Danny Walker
- Matt Wallace
- Vince Whaley
- Tim Widing
- Danny Willett
- Aaron Wise
- Gary Woodland
- Norman Xiong
- Cameron Young
- Carson Young
- Kevin Yu
Impact of Woods’ Absence on PGA Tour and Tournament Dynamics
Tiger Woods’ pullout creates uncertainty for the tournament’s appeal, as his presence typically draws significant attention and elevates competition intensity. While the Rocket Mortgage Classic still guarantees a high-quality field with many top-ranked golfers competing, Woods’ injury and prolonged recovery highlight the challenges aging champions face in maintaining top form amid injuries.
His absence also shifts focus to new talent and current stars, providing opportunities for players like Collin Morikawa and Tony Finau to claim the spotlight. The event will test the resilience and depth of the PGA Tour field while underscoring broader questions about Woods’ future participation at the highest level.