MIAMI (AFP) — Rory McIlroy believes Tiger Woods is unlikely to play any golf this year but is backing the 15-time major champion to attempt a comeback after his latest injury woe.

Woods stunned the world of golf on Tuesday after revealing he had suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon as he prepared to make his return to competitive golf, potentially at next month’s Masters in Augusta.

However, his injury, which typically requires several months of recovery and rehabilitation, torpedoed his planned comeback, and cast a shadow over the remainder of the season.

Speaking on Wednesday on the eve of the opening round of The Players Championship in Florida, Northern Ireland star McIlroy expressed his sympathy for Woods’ plight.

“It sucks,” McIlroy said of Woods injury.

“He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body. Obviously, he was trying to ramp up to get ready for Augusta, and Achilles surgeries obviously aren’t fun.”

“We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we will see him play maybe in 2026.”

McIlroy, though, believes the fiercely driven Woods will do all he can to be competitive when he does eventually return to fitness.

“He’ll try. I know he’ll try,” McIlroy said.

“But that’s a question for him, not for me. I obviously don’t know what’s in his head. But judging by prior behavior, he’ll definitely try.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, reflected on his own career as he gears up for his latest tilt at next month’s Masters — the only major championship missing from his collection of US Open, British Open and two PGA Championships.

The 35-year-old star said he would know when the time was right to retire — and would rather walk away from the sport before his form starts to decline.

“Whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing,” McIlroy said.

“When I’ve achieved everything, I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don’t think I can maybe do that anymore. I’d also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank.”

“I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should.”

“I think if you can come to terms with that and walk away on your own terms, then that’s a good thing.”