Tiger Woods announced Friday that he had another surgery performed on his back.
The exact procedure, shared in a statement on social media, was “microdepression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back.”
“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, 48, last competed at the British Open in July, during which he missed the cut. That was the third consecutive tournament in which he couldn’t finish out the weekend, dating back to the Masters, where he finished 60th. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open.
The 15-time major champion wasn’t scheduled to play in another event this year. During his career, Woods has usually played the Hero World Championship in the Bahamas, which benefits his TGR Foundation. That tournament starts Dec. 5. In recent years, Woods has played the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, in late December. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to play in either this year.
The latest procedure is believed to be the sixth surgery Woods has had on his back, but the first he’s undergone since 2021. More recently, Woods has been impeded by his right leg, which was significantly injured in a 2022 car crash.
