Golf legend Tiger Woods has announced his latest injury setback after revealing he has undergone back surgery.
It is the sixth back operation of the 48 years oldcareer, with the American suffering through yet another injury-plagued season.
The 15-time major winner announced in July that he would take a five-month break after failing to make the cut at the Open Championship.
He also failed to advance to the US Open and PGA Championship, although he played all four rounds of the Masters.
Woods is now expected to take some time away from the game to rest and recover after suffering back spasms in 2024.
Although he has insisted he is not thinking about retirement.
A statement from Woods X The account said: “Earlier this morning, Tiger underwent microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine to treat a pinched nerve in his lower back.
“Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi of the Hospital for Special Surgery in West Palm Beach performed the surgery and considered it successful.”
Woods then shared his thoughts on the procedure and promised he is already preparing to return to the course.
He said: “The surgery went smoothly and I hope this helps alleviate the back spasms and pain I have been experiencing for most of the 2024 season.
“I’m looking forward to starting this rehabilitation and getting ready to return to normal life activities, including golf.”
It is unclear at this point whether he will be fit enough to compete in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, an event he is organizing.
And he could also miss the PNC Championship in December, where he was set to play alongside son Charlie.
Woods’ season began at the Genesis Invitational in February, where he was forced to withdraw due to illness in the second round.
It’s been a tough few years for Woods since his near fatal car accident in February 2021.
He nearly lost his right leg in the incident, before returning to the track less than a year later.
Woods then underwent a subtalar fusion procedure on his right foot, which will keep him out for most of the 2023 PGA Tour season.
And this year’s setbacks have left him playing just five times on the PGA Tour in 2024.