Woods is yet to compete on the PGA Tour this season and revealed on Tuesday that he has undergone surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon while preparing for a possible return to action in April's Masters.
"It sucks," McIlroy said when asked for his reaction ahead of the Players Championship at Sawgrass.
"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. Hoping he's in good spirits and hoping he's doing okay.
"We obviously won't see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026."
Asked if Woods could be competitive when he returns, McIlroy added: "He'll try. I know he'll try. But that's a question for him, not for me. I obviously don't know what's in his head. But judging by prior behaviour, he'll definitely try."
Woods has defied the odds in returning from numerous injuries throughout his career, including returning to action after coming close to losing his right leg in a car accident four years ago.
However, he has struggled to fulfil even a limited schedule in recent years and completed 72 holes in just one of the five official events he started in 2024.
16°C