Tiger Woods Undergoes Back Surgery in Hopes of Reviving Golf Career
Tiger Woods Undergoes Back Surgery in Hopes of Reviving Golf Career
Golf legend Tiger Woods has once again gone under the knife, this time for back surgery aimed at relieving persistent muscle spasms that plagued him throughout 2024. The 15-time major champion expressed optimism about returning to “normal life activities, including golf” following the procedure, signaling a potential return to the sport that made him a global icon.
Woods, who will turn 49 in December, has been noticeably absent from competitive play since missing the cut at the Open Championship in July. His 2024 season was marked by an ongoing battle with injuries stemming from his devastating 2021 car crash, which caused severe damage to his legs and curtailed his once-dominant presence on the golf course.
In a candid post on X (formerly Twitter), Woods shared the news of his surgery: “The procedure went smoothly, and I’m hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I’ve been dealing with for much of this season. I’m looking forward to tackling rehab and preparing for a return to normal activities—including golf.”
The latest surgery involved microdecompression of the lumbar spine to address nerve impingement in his lower back. It’s a familiar story for Woods, who has endured multiple back procedures over the years, including a major spinal fusion in 2017. That surgery, against the odds, led to one of the most memorable comebacks in sports history, culminating in Woods’ 2019 Masters victory—his first major win in over a decade.
Despite his triumphant return in 2019, Woods has faced mounting physical challenges since his car accident in February 2021. His schedule has been significantly reduced, allowing him to compete in no more than one tournament a month, if that. In 2024, he withdrew from the Genesis Invitational due to illness, finished last among those who made the cut at the Masters, and failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and Royal Troon.
However, Woods has consistently maintained a hopeful outlook. Following his rough showing at Royal Troon in July, he said, “I’ve gotten better physically. I just need to keep progressing and eventually start playing more competitively, to get back into that competitive flow.”
Beyond his own career, Woods remains deeply involved in shaping the future of professional golf. He is one of the key negotiators working on the potential merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, a deal that could reshape the sport.
For Woods, the desire to return to the game never fades. As he said earlier this year, “I still love competing. I love playing. I love being a part of the game of golf.” With this latest surgery behind him, the golf world will eagerly watch to see if Woods can once again defy the odds and return to the top.
