Tiger Woods has undergone yet another surgery, his team announced on Friday.
According to a statement posted on social media, “Tiger underwent microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back.”
The surgery was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi of Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Fla., and was deemed to be a success.
“The surgery went smoothly, and I’m hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season,” Woods said in the statement. “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”
Woods teed it up in five tournaments in 2024: The Genesis Invitational, and all four majors. He withdrew from the Genesis after a first-round 72, citing illness. Then, he made the cut at the Masters, setting a new all-time record in the process, and ultimately finished 60th. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship.
Last year, Woods underwent a subtalar fusion procedure to alleviate post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture. Woods’ last surgery on his back was in January 2021, when he had microdiscectomy surgery to “remove a pressurized disc fragment” that was leading to nerve pain.
How this latest procedure will affect Woods’ playing schedule remains unknown. Woods’ next event on the docket has traditionally been an appearance alongside his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship in December, but the duo has yet to officially commit. The tournament is scheduled to be played December 19-22 at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes.
