Tiger Woods Out Indefinitely After Back Surgery

In a social media post on Tuesday, Woods announced that he recently had a fourth microdiscectomy, the fifth surgery on Woods’ back in the past seven years, and the first one since a spinal fusion in 2017 which helped him make a triumphant comeback to the sport he once dominated.

He won the 2019 Masters as a +1400 betting underdog to clinch a 15th major title, putting the 45-year old to withing three of the legendary Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record. But whatever progress he made in 2019 was hampered by another back injury and the coronavirus pandemic which disrupted the 2020 golf calendar.

Because of the pandemic, Woods had to wait until November 2020 to defend his Masters title. He struggled with the wet Georgia hills and limited sunlight which meant compressed tee times and little rest. Tiger Woods finish tied for 38th which was a whopping 19 shots behind winner Dustin Johnson. Woods is currently a longshot +3300 at BetOnline.ag to win the green jacket this year.

Out Indefinitely

BREAKING: Tiger Woods is out indefinitely after undergoing a fifth back surgery.

More: https://t.co/dXM66Zne9n pic.twitter.com/bMn6Ai5Ubt

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) January 19, 2021

Woods said in the statement that he began feeling discomfort after the PNC Championship in December where he played alongside his 11-year old son Charlie. He then underwent a procedure to “remove a pressurized disc fragment that was pinching a nerve”. The doctors deemed the operation a success and Woods is expected to make a full recovery. However, he will need some time off to recuperate.

As a result, Woods said that he does not expect to return to the PGA Tour before March. This means that Tiger will miss The Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in the final week of January and the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club starting February 18. Woods is the honorary host of the Genesis Invitational.

Back Problems

It was not an easy decision, but I will not be attending @THEPLAYERSChamp. I have to listen to my body and properly rest when needed. My back is simply just not ready for play next week. I’m sad to miss one of the best events of the season, OUR Championship.

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 6, 2020

The 2020 PLAYERS Championship was just one of the events that Tiger missed last year. Woods has had to deal with back problems throughout his career and last year was no different. His 2020 starts produced only one Top-10 finish, a tie for 9th place at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He began feeling stiff the following month and grimaced in pain during the final two rounds of the Genesis Invitational where he shot an 11 over par and finished last among the golfers who made the cut.

In the six majors he has played since winning the green jacket in 2019, Woods has missed the cut three times. In the other three, he’s finished 21st, tied for 37th, and then the 38th place finish last November in Augusta.

One of the Best Ever

With 82 career wins in the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods is tied for second-most all-time with Sam Snead. His 15 golf major victories are also just second to Jack Nicklaus. He was the most dominant golfer in the first decade of the 21st century as he held the number 1 ranking for 264 consecutive weeks from August 1999 to September 2004 and for another 281 weeks from June 2005 to October 2010, winning 13 majors during this span.

.@TigerWoods has 8⃣2⃣ career TOUR wins. 🏆

Can you name them all? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/bKqrabz8kN

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 28, 2019

The next decade of his career would be defined by personal problems and back injuries but his successful comeback which culminated in his first major tournament victory in 11 years at Augusta was nothing short of incredible. No doubt, Tiger Woods is one of the best golfers ever. And no doubt, Tiger will be back.