Tiger Woods goes back under the knife again with more
Tiger Woods goes back under the knife again with more
Tiger Woods announced on Friday that he has undergone back surgery to address persistent muscle spasms that plagued him throughout the 2024 golf season. The 15-time major champion revealed that the procedure aimed to alleviate the discomfort he experienced, which had significantly impacted his ability to play golf and engage in other daily activities. Woods, who is set to turn 49 in December, has been struggling with injuries sustained in a severe car crash in February 2021, which have substantially limited his playing schedule and overall mobility.
Woods has been notably absent from the golf course since he missed the cut at the Open Championship in July. This year, he played a restricted schedule, struggling with ongoing health issues. He withdrew from the Genesis Invitational earlier in the season due to illness and then endured a disappointing performance at the Masters, where he finished last among those who made the cut. His difficulties continued as he missed the cut at both the PGA Championship and the US Open, and subsequently at the Royal Troon event.
In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), Woods shared that the recent back surgery was conducted smoothly and expressed hope that it would significantly ease the back spasms and pain that had troubled him throughout the year. “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf,” Woods said. He detailed that the surgery involved “microdecompression of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back,” adding that this procedure is part of an ongoing series of back surgeries he has undergone.
Woods’ history with back surgeries includes a major procedure in 2017 when he had spinal fusion surgery. This operation was pivotal in his remarkable comeback, which saw him win the Masters in 2019, marking his first major title since the 2008 US Open. Additionally, in October 2019, Woods achieved a significant milestone by winning the inaugural Zozo Championship in Japan, tying Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA Tour victories. Later that year, he also played a crucial role in the US team’s victory over the Internationals at the Presidents Cup in Royal Melbourne, Australia.
Despite these achievements, the February 2021 car crash near Los Angeles, which left him with severe lower leg injuries, has had a profound impact on his career. Since the accident, Woods has acknowledged that he can only participate in a very limited number of tournaments each month due to his physical condition. During a statement made last February at the Riviera, Woods admitted that he experiences physical discomfort “each and every day,” but emphasized his enduring passion for golf. “I still love competing. I love playing, I love being a part of the game of golf,” he said.
Following his missed cut at Troon in July, Woods expressed optimism about his physical progress. “I just need to keep progressing like that and then eventually start playing more competitively and start getting into kind of the competitive flow again,” he commented during the tournament in Scotland.
Beyond his personal recovery and return to competitive golf, Woods is also involved in high-stakes negotiations concerning the merger between the US PGA Tour and the LIV Golf League, backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. This merger aims to reconcile the interests of both organizations, and Woods is playing a significant role in these discussions.
Overall, Woods’ journey in 2024 has been marked by significant challenges and setbacks, but his determination to return to competitive golf and his involvement in major industry negotiations reflect his enduring commitment to the sport and its future.
