Tiger Woods underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery on Friday, the 15-time major champion announced on X on Saturday.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods’ statement said. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/L5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday and already know I made a good decision for my health and back.”
No timetable was provided for Woods to make his return to competitive golf.
Tiger Woods has not played on the PGA Tour this season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon in March. Last September, Woods underwent a procedure on his lower back that he described as a microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement.
The 49-year-old has had six prior back surgeries, starting with a microdiscectomy for a pinched nerve in 2014. He had a second microdiscectomy surgery in September of 2015 and then had a follow-up procedure to relieve discomfort in October of 2016. He had another microdiscectomy in 2017 and then another in 2021. Woods has also undergone numerous surgeries on his legs both pre and post-car accident.
Woods made just five starts in 2024. His only made cut came at the 2024 Masters. He missed the cut at the remaining three majors but did play in the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, and in TGL before suffering the Achilles injury in March.
Josh Schrock
Golf.com Editor
Josh Schrock is a writer and reporter for Golf.com. Before joining GOLF, Josh was the Chicago Bears insider for NBC Sports Chicago. He previously covered the 49ers and Warriors for NBC Sports Bay Area. A native Oregonian and UO alum, Josh spends his free time hiking with his wife and dog, thinking of how the Ducks will break his heart again, and trying to become semi-proficient at chipping. A true romantic for golf, Josh will never stop trying to break 90 and never lose faith that Rory McIlroy’s major drought will end (updated: he did it). Josh Schrock can be reached at josh.schrock@golf.com.
