x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, hopeful to return later this year
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
News

Tiger Woods undergoes another back surgery, hopeful to return later this year

By: Sean Zak
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
January 19, 2021
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
tiger woods

Tiger Woods has now had five back surgeries in his career.

Getty Images

Tiger Woods’ back is back in the news. Woods recently had a microdiscectomy surgery to “remove a pressurized disc fragment” that was leading to nerve pain following the PNC Championship he played in December. 

Woods announced the procedure in a statement released on Twitter Tuesday afternoon, along with note that his doctors believed it to be a success. As a result, Woods will not be playing his typical Tour schedule to start 2021, and will be skipping the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. He apparently intends on playing the host role at the Genesis Invitational. 

“I look forward to begin training and am focused on getting back out on Tour,” Woods said in the statement.

pic.twitter.com/YD0IQbF2K4

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 19, 2021

For those keeping track at home, that makes five different back procedures Woods has had in his career, and the first once since his fusion surgery in April 2017. Woods famously followed that surgery with some of the most impressive golf of his career, winning the 2019 Masters, the 2018 Tour Championship and the 2019 Zozo Championship. 

When will we see him on the course again? It’s difficult to be sure as these microdiscectomies have always been followed by a waiting game and inconsistent results. Woods normally plays the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship, among others, in the run-up to the Masters each spring. Tiger fans will likely have to wait and hear from Woods himself during the Genesis Invitational in mid-February. 

Recall that Woods was not in the greatest health at this time last year. He struggled to compete at Riviera, finishing last in the field of those who made the cut. He then sat out the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship before it was canceled due to the coronavirus. He missed only one cut the rest of his 2020 campaign, but only shot in the 60s six times in 26 rounds. Woods polished off his year of golf at the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie, which is where he dealt with a pinched nerve. Though he hid it quite well throughout, there was one shot of him warming up that made him look like he was dealing with some pain. 

nothing to see here 😬 pic.twitter.com/uI76wMKMtS

— Eric Patterson (@EPatGolf) December 19, 2020

Latest In News

1 hour ago

10 things I'll miss from the U.S. Open (and 3 I won't) | Monday Finish

3 hours ago

Letting that f’er go and heavenly Oakmont Bakery: 50 thoughts from U.S. Open

3 hours ago

In hours after J.J. Spaun's U.S. Open win, the best moment was unscripted

7 hours ago

Viktor Hovland lost the U.S. Open but left with something he needed

Sean Zak

Golf.com Editor

Sean Zak is a senior writer and author of Searching in St. Andrews, which followed his travels in Scotland during the most pivotal summer in the game’s history.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

News
The Woods family at the PNC Championship.

Tiger and Annika's wholesome remarks, JT's step-in caddie | Rogers Report

By: Claire Rogers
News
Tiger and Sam Woods at the PNC Championship

Sam Woods caddies for Tiger, Trevino's tip for Charlie Woods | Rogers Report

By: Claire Rogers
News
Tiger Woods and Will McGee at the PNC Championship

Tiger Woods' imitation, the PNC's best friendship | Rogers Report

By: Claire Rogers
News
Max Homa pokes fun at Tiger, DJ goes fishing and Min Woo Lee celebrates his win.

Max Homa dunks on Tiger, Min Woo Lee's victory clapback | Rogers Report

By: Claire Rogers
News
mike torut hitting drive at topgolf

Mike Trout back hitting absolute bombs at Topgolf (and now we know his ball speed)

By: Nick Dimengo
News
tiger woods charlie woods

Where is Tiger Woods? Busy caddying for his son Charlie's career-low round

By: Sean Zak
News
Tiger Woods, Davis Love

Tiger Woods is watching the Presidents Cup. And he got a call DURING play

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Adam Scott of Australia and the International team shakes hands with Playing Captain Tiger Woods and the United States team after the United States team defeated them 16-14 on day four of the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Course on December 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.

Why Tiger Woods plays a role in both of Adam Scott's greatest Presidents Cup memories

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Tiger Woods and Notah Begay laugh at 2017 Hero World Challenge

'Don't bet against him': Analyst says Tiger Woods can still break this huge PGA Tour record

By: Kevin Cunningham
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version