Is it time for Tiger to announce his retirement?
15-time major champion Tiger Woods recently revealed on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that he underwent microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine to address nerve impingement in his lower back. The procedure, performed in West Palm Beach, Florida, marks the sixth back surgery Woods has had in the last decade.
In 2024, Woods appeared in just five tournaments, including making a record 24th consecutive cut at the Masters, though he finished 60th. He also withdrew after the first round at the Genesis Invitational due to illness and missed the cut at both the U.S. Open and the British Open.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) September 13, 2024
Tiger Woods Surgery Timeline
1994: At 18, Woods underwent surgery to remove benign tumors and scar tissue from his left knee, forcing him to withdraw from the U.S. Amateur Open.
2002: Fluid was removed from Woods’ left knee, marking the beginning of his recurring knee issues.
2008: Woods had cartilage repair surgery on his left knee and battled stress fractures in his left tibia. Despite this, he famously won the U.S. Open with a double-stress fracture. Afterward, he underwent reconstructive knee surgery and missed the remainder of the season.
2010: Woods withdrew from the PLAYERS Championship due to neck pain.
2011: Woods sprained his MCL and Achilles, sidelining him for several months.
2012: Ligament injuries began to affect Woods as the toll on his body continued to mount.
2014: Woods had his first back surgery to repair a pinched nerve, marking the start of his ongoing back problems.
2015: Woods underwent a second microdiscectomy surgery on his back.
2017: Spinal fusion surgery was performed to address Woods’ chronic back pain, his fourth back surgery overall.
2021: Woods suffered severe leg and ankle injuries in a car accident, leading to emergency surgery to stabilize his right leg with rods, screws and pins.
2023: Woods required ankle surgery due to complications from his 2021 accident.
2024: Woods confirmed another back surgery to address the pain and spasms that had hindered him throughout the 2024 season, continuing his long battle with injuries.
Photo – CBS