Injuries may be holding Tiger Woods back, but they're not stopping him completely.
The 15-time major winner on the PGA Tour announced on Friday that he underwent surgery on his lower back with the hopes of alleviating back spasms that hampered him throughout the 2024 season.
The days of Woods dominating the course are long gone. Between the ailments and his age, Woods is no longer playing full-time on the PGA Tour. He has participated in a number of majors and certain events, but for the most part, it has become a rarity to see the legend on the links.
The 2024 season was a tumultuous one for Woods. He began the year at the Genesis Invitational in February but was forced to withdraw in the second round due to what was called an illness. He then missed the cut at the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and Open Championship, however, Woods did make the cut at the Masters, playing in all four rounds and placing 60th.
Here is more to know about Wood's operation and his future in golf.
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Tiger Woods back surgery
Woods announced on Friday that he had successful back surgery earlier in the morning. The exact operation was a "microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine to address a nerve impingement in the lower back."
Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi of Hospital of Special Surgery in West Palm Beach, Fla. performed the procedure.
"The surgery went smoothly, and I am hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season," Woods said. "I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf."
Back issues are not unfamiliar territory for the golf legend. This is the sixth time Woods has publicly announced a back surgery during his lengthy career.
It's safe to say Woods hasn't been the same since suffering serious injuries in a car accident in 2021 . He had major operations on his right leg but was able to return to the golf course less than a year later. Woods also underwent a subtalar fusion procedure on his right foot, which cost him the majority of the 2023 PGA Tour season.
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Is Tiger Woods retired?
While the injuries are hampering his play, Woods has not expressed any desire to hang the clubs up.
"I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can still win the event," Woods said during the 2024 Open Championship.
The topic of retirement was a major talking point surrounding this year's Open Championship at Royal Troon when longtime European Tour member Colin Montgomerie bashed Woods' recent showings on the course and said he should have retired in 2022.
Woods fired back at Montgomerie, stating factually that the Scottish golfer is "not a past champion" while he is at the Open Championship.
"Well, as a past champion, I'm exempt until I'm 60. Colin's not," Woods said . "He's not a past champion, so he's not exempt. So he doesn't get the opportunity to make that decision. I do."
Woods is correct. His past achievements have allowed him to receive exemptions to the majors, including lifetime exemptions to play the Masters and PGA Championship. He is eligible to play in the Open Championship until he is 55 (the tournament lowered the age from 60 to 55 earlier in 2024).
He does not have to do the normal legwork someone else on the PGA Tour may have to to qualify for these competitions. As long as he is healthy and willing, Woods never has to stop playing.
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How old is Tiger Woods?
Born on Dec. 30, 1975, Woods is 48 years old.
He will have just turned 49 years old when the 2025 PGA season begins in late December/early January 2025.
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