Tiger Woods has announced a hiatus from golf following a recent back surgery in October. The American athlete had to undergo a procedure to replace a disc in his spine, marking his seventh back surgery and third major operation in the past two years, following previous surgeries on his Achilles and ankle.
Despite winning the Masters in 2019 after an 11-year gap, Woods has struggled with injuries, hindering his competitiveness in the sport. Recently, he hosted his annual Hero World Challenge golf tournament in the Bahamas but acknowledged a long road to recovery before returning to the game.
While humorously mentioning playing numerous events on both tours, Woods emphasized the importance of focusing on his rehabilitation before committing to a playing schedule. He highlighted the gradual process of returning to practice, training, and eventually deciding on future tournament participation.
Woods expressed optimism as he received clearance for chipping and putting after six weeks of recovery from the disc replacement surgery. He emphasized the need for patience in allowing the disc to heal properly before intensifying gym workouts and rotational exercises.
A significant driving factor for Woods could be achieving a historic PGA record by surpassing golf legend Sam Snead’s all-time tournament wins tally of 82. Notah Begay III, a close friend of Woods, recently mentioned that walking around the course post-surgeries remains a challenging aspect for the golfer’s potential comeback.