Tiger Woods Undergoes Seventh Back Surgery
Iconic golfer Tiger Woods underwent a new back surgery on Friday, the seventh of his career, to replace a disc in his lower back that was causing him pain and mobility issues. Woods reported on the surgical intervention through a social media post on Saturday, detailing that the operation was performed in New York. In his statement, he affirmed that this was the right decision for his health and to address the persistent problems in his back. The golfer did not specify the estimated recovery time, leaving his participation in future tournaments uncertain, such as the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas or the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie, both scheduled for December. The last time Woods competed was at last year’s PNC Championship, where he suffered a playoff defeat. This is the second surgery Woods has undergone this year, after a procedure in March due to a rupture of the left Achilles tendon, and his second back surgery in the last thirteen months. Woods explained that he made the decision to undergo surgery after consulting with several doctors and surgeons, after experiencing pain and limitations in his mobility.The first of Woods’ seven back surgeries was in April 2014, which led to a fusion in his lower back in 2017. A year later, he won the Tour Championship and, in 2019, conquered his 15th major and his fifth green jacket at the Masters. In February 2021, Woods suffered a car accident that fractured his right leg and ankle, a situation that, according to the golfer, almost cost him amputation. He returned to competition a year later, at the 2022 Masters. Since the accident, Woods has participated in only 15 tournaments, including four PNC Championships, where he can use a cart during the 36-hole event.“The scans determined I had a collapsed disc at L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal,” Woods wrote in his post on Saturday. “I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”
Tiger Woods
