Tour News

Tiger Woods has back surgery, will miss Masters

Published

10 years ago

Apr 1, 2014

Tiger Woods announced on his website that he has undergone back surgery and will miss this year’s Masters.

The surgery, called a microdiscectomy, was performed Monday in Park City, Utah, by neurosurgeon Charles Rich to relieve a pinched nerve in Woods’ lower back that the golfer said “has been hurting him for several months.”

“After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have this proceDure done,” Woods said. “I’d like to express my disappointment to the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons that I will not be at the Masters. It’s a week that’s very special to me. It also looks like I’ll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy.”

“I’d also like to thank the fans for their support and concern. It’s very kind and greatly appreciated. This is frustrating, but it’s something my doctors advised me to do for my immediate and long-term health.”

Woods, 38, will begin intensive rehabilitation and soft-tissue treatment within a week and could begin chipping and putting practice in as soon as three weeks. The recovery time of the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer will depend on several physiological factors, as noted in his statement, as well as the assessment of his doctors.

Sad to say I’m missing the Masters. Thanks to the fans for so many kind wishes. http://t.co/Ofbre9VHEL

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) April 1, 2014

The first public sign of Woods’ back troubles came in the first round of the PGA Tour’s 2013 FedEx Cup Playoffs at The Barclays in August, where he suffered spasms that were severe enough to cause him to fall to his knees in pain after hitting a shot. The same pain caused him to withdraw from the Honda Classic in early March of this year, and while he completed the WGC-Cadillac Championship the following week, he was in noticeable pain, particularly in the final round on March 9. That was Woods’ last competitive round before his surgery.

According to his statement, Woods hopes to resume competitive golf sometime this summer. He said that he could have sustained further damage to his back had he continued to play, but that there should be no long-lasting effects from the surgery that will impact the longevity of his career.

Woods has been afflicted with several injuries since his return to competitive golf in April 2011, but this is the first to require surgery since 2008. That was also the year of his last major championship victory, the U.S. Open, which he won while battling the injuries of a torn left ACL and stress fracture in his left tibia.

Analysts predicted that 2014 could be one of Woods’ best chances to win multiple major championships in a single season. While he recorded five PGA Tour wins in 2013, he did not play his best golf in the majors. This year, however, history was on his side as the major championship sites account for six of Woods’ 14-career major championship wins.

After the Masters, which Woods has won four times, the next major is the U.S. Open. It will begin June 12 at Pinehurst’s No. 2 course in Pinehurst, N.C. Woods has not won a U.S. Open at Pinehurst, but he’s been close, with two top-3 finishes in the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Opens.

The season’s third major, the British Open, begins July 17 at Hoylake, the site of Woods’ 2006 British Open victory. The season’s final major, the PGA Championship, begins on August 7 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., where Woods won the 2000 PGA Championship.

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67 Comments

GMatt

Apr 9, 2014 at 10:14 am

Anyone know why Tiger didn’t show up for the Champions dinner? Interesting that quite a few former champions consider this tradition and show up even though they aren’t playing……

Reply Report comment
Rich

Apr 6, 2014 at 5:46 pm

I was 16 when Tiger won the Masters in 1997. The following week I was out a public course knocking it around. I know he is a polarizing character. But I am now 32 and some of his on course antics rub me the wrong way. When he is going good though I still enjoy watching him. As a black man, there are very few guys on tour that look like me, but I still enjoy watching events now. I find my self rooting for “young guns” like DJ, Fowler, Rory, Mahan and recently Jordan Speith. Sucks that Tiger won’t play any majors this year, but I really would like to see one of the guys I mentioned win one or two this season.

Golf has a tendency to be exclusive rather than inclusive if I never saw Tiger Woods win the masters in ’97 I probably wouldn’t be playing and loving the sport now. So I will always have a soft spot for Tiger, but it will be nice to see a Major without the press on him.

Reply Report comment
Avid Fan

Apr 4, 2014 at 12:58 pm

This is going to be one of the best Masters, ever! Yes!

Reply Report comment
bullrambler

Apr 3, 2014 at 7:52 am

I think the interest in the Masters goes down by 50% on the first two days. But will rise again on day three and four.

Reply Report comment
Bulge in my Pants

Apr 2, 2014 at 6:11 pm

I don’t understand…. he said it was a bulging disc problem. And then he goes and gets a pinched nerve micro-operation….. so was he LYING again? because if they didn’t operate on a bulging disc, would the same problem come back, due to the bulge? So what did they fix, exactly? Sounds temporary to me, that he could aggravate a different nerve with the same bulging disc.

Reply Report comment
- RG
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 7:57 pm
  
  Thanks for that expert analysis! Your keen insight and observations are invaluable. Now it’s my turn. I think “Bulge in my Pants” says it all about you. I can tell that along with that condition you have an empty space in your head. Or in other words, Dumb#**, bulging discs are what cause pinched nerves. They will fix both, but the nerve damage is the more serious and that’s why everyone is focusing on that. But you just keep rambling on with your juvenile babbling, it’s so helpful.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Pole
    
    Apr 3, 2014 at 1:57 am
    
    What, you work for that Cheetah or sumthin’?
    
    Reply Report comment
- Jimbo
  
  Apr 3, 2014 at 3:51 pm
  
  What an insensitive ignorant person. Tiger owes no explanation to anyone except for possibly contractual obligations.
  
  Reply Report comment
Natunitef

Apr 2, 2014 at 12:42 pm

There’s no doubt that golf will miss having TW at the masters. He always draws people in and for good reason, maybe the best ever. But, as a life long golf fan I am glad he is sitting this one out. I am tired of watching someone as talented as TW is blame every bad shot on an injury. He misses a green and all of a sudden his back is tight. Can’t hit a fairway and his knee is killing him. Time to grow a set and play through it like a man or take the right time off. Bad shots are bad shots, don’t blame them on ailments. Be a man and accept it.

Reply Report comment
- Jamie
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 1:01 pm
  
  We’ll said
  
  Reply Report comment
- Chuck
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 4:15 pm
  
  Phil too! These two are washed up, they made enough money and they’re not hungry anymore!!! These guys get appearance fees for millions just to show up then go home sick or hurt. Love seeing the new guys on tour win, I’m all about giving the newbies on tour a chance! As far as the big names anymore, I’ll watch the champions tour.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Rich
    
    Apr 3, 2014 at 3:33 pm
    
    Hang on. Phil won the Scottish Open and The Open Championship back to back and played one of the best final rounds in recent times to win the Open. He wasn’t that far off winning the US Open either. How is that washed up?
    
    Reply Report comment
pingeyeone74

Apr 2, 2014 at 11:36 am

I am really happy about getting to watch a Master’s without the great Tiger Woods. He maybe the best ever but has absolutely no class. Anyone remember the temper tantrums he threw at the Master’s just a couple years ago? sickening! All the success he has had on the golf course makes it really ridiculous for him to throw his tantrums.

Reply Report comment
Rich

Apr 2, 2014 at 9:07 am

TW might miss the Masters but the Masters won’t miss TW.

Reply Report comment
- R
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 12:31 pm
  
  Ding dong. Amen.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Golfraven
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 3:55 pm
  
  nicely said. lets enjoy the Masters without needing to listen to nonsense like Tiger will bite again while he is 10 of the lead
  
  Reply Report comment
- RG
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 7:59 pm
  
  Really, check the ratings, ask the membership, I think you are very wrong.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Rich
    
    Apr 3, 2014 at 3:35 pm
    
    Ok, I’ll be more specific. TW will miss The Masters but I won’t miss him at the Masters. I wouldn’t miss him, ever.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Rich
      
      Apr 22, 2014 at 2:48 am
      
      What a great Masters! Did anyone really miss Tiger? I know I didn’t!
      
      Reply Report comment
Pacific tigers

Apr 2, 2014 at 8:02 am

wow, thelegend, why are you so bitter against tiger?

Reply Report comment
- BILL
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 9:57 am
  
  Yes they will miss Tiger, and I will too! The man is the greatest golfer of modern times. What an idiotic statement!!
  
  Reply Report comment
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kits013

Apr 2, 2014 at 2:47 am

i dun care about tiger, i just hope phil can make it

Reply Report comment
TheLegend

Apr 2, 2014 at 2:12 am

So glad. Golf is not better with tiger. Golf has been very hurt with that man playing. I hope he retires soon! Than we can get back to the good ol days. When they showed only who was on the leader board and the 1 guy who did something funny(like taking a 13 on one hole) They show tiger when hes 3 pages back. I cant stand it. I wanna see good golf. I love watching everything the guys who are in the hunt are doing. Iwanna see the nerves and the focus. I wanna see the guy who making a run for it on the back 9 on sunday. Remember when jack would start the day behind and end up winning! Rember when tiger was behind and he caught up and won(nope never happends with tiger. If he does not have the lead on sunday than you know hes not gonna win. But they show him anyways.

Reply Report comment
- Jamie
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 2:40 am
  
  A pinched nerve, A pinched nerve, my god its not even a disc problem, what next, tooth ache, or a broken nail on his finger!!!!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - TS
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 7:42 am
    
    Why do you think he had a pinched nerve? From a disc…thus the surgery. And go ahead and compare a pinched nerve in his back to a toothache or broken nail, hopefully you will never have to deal with a pinched nerve to see how foolish you sound. It is obvious from your comment you have not had this problem or known anyone who has.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - BILL
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 9:59 am
      
      Well said!
      
      Reply Report comment
    - laurence
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 11:23 am
      
      Jamie- do a bit of research before you make ill advised comments.
      This is a procedure not without risk that takes some time from which to recuperate.Two minutes research on the internet would have provided you with this infornation
      
      Reply Report comment
    - jamie
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 12:23 pm
      
      My own personal injury that is Cauda Equina syndrome, google that, this is what I have after a massive disc herniation, I guess that makes me qualified to join this discussion, a pinch nerve is not in the same stratosphere,
      I play twice a week with this , he is a top athlete with the best doctors around him, they could get him on the course in days, its a pinched nerve, I know many love to make excuses for him, the greatest tournament in the world will lose nothing without him.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - RG
        
        Apr 2, 2014 at 8:04 pm
        
        You have a 120 mph swing speed? Do not compare 150 yd. drives with 150 yd sand wedges. I have Cauda Equina as well, but to compare your level of back stress and your golf game, please, that’s ridiculous.
        
        Reply Report comment
    - R
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 12:34 pm
      
      Whoa whoa. TS. They said it was a bulging disc. And now it’s not? How many more LIES does this man have to tell the world? If it was announced as a bulging disc, why was he not operated on, FOR the bulging disc? Instead, it’s some MICO surgery for a minor pinched nerve. Sheesh.
      
      Reply Report comment
  - BILL
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 9:58 am
    
    And you are probably immune to any injuries, please tell Tiger and all of us your secret!! #ironman
    
    Reply Report comment
  - BF
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 11:57 am
    
    What are you, a high school science teacher? A pinched nerve is guess what, pinched by the disc. You are an idiot…
    
    Reply Report comment
- MHendon
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 11:24 am
  
  TheLegend You are completely right! There are golf fans and there are Tiger fans. For those of us who where actually fans of golf, and played golf before Tiger we know what your talking about. Before all the Tiger worshipers start spewing how he’s made golf better, I ask you how and for who? Sure as hell not for me or any of the other true GOLF fans. Lets see has a round of golf gotten cheaper for us since Tiger came out on tour, NO! Has the average round of golf gotten faster since the KING of slow came out on tour, NO! Have course conditions gotten better since Tiger came out on tour, NO! Has equipment gotten cheaper, NO! The fact is tiger has been good for a select few, the tour pro’s, the network’s, and golf retailer’s, That’s it. Yes he’s a great player and competitor but that’s all. I can’t think of another redeeming quality about the guy!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Dave
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 11:43 am
    
    I’ll agree with you guys that Woods hasn’t made golf “better.” His personal life pecadillos have tarnished the image PGA pros used to enjoy (sometimes undeserved), and his on-course outbursts legitimated bad behavior on the course for many. That said, Woods has almost undeniably made golf bigger and more accessible by adding something to the game purists loathe but is needed for a sport to reach a “mass” audience – a pop star personality. A parallel to baseball loosely applies; a 1-0 pitchers’ duel is a GREAT baseball game. But a killer pitching staff and low scoring kills attendance even for a winning team because “real fans” are too small a percentage of the population to fill a stadium. We don’t get the “right” players on camera enough when Woods plays, but we get a lot more media coverage in general because he’s there.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - R
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 12:38 pm
    
    MHendon. If you were playing golf BEFORE TW came on to the scene and changed everything and are complaining about the prices of the green fees – have you even looked at GAS prices, milk prices, sales taxes, and whatever else???? TW brought more money to the winnings, but he didn’t have much in the way of the prices of green fees – that just happened because of the change in the world economy over the past 20 years!!!! 20 YEARS!
    
    And besides – if you were playing golf before TW and experienced this problem in the over-crowding and high prices that you talk about –
    
    well you’re too darned old to be complaining on the internet – you’re like a sissy 16 year old boy.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - MHendon
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 5:43 pm
      
      R so what are you saying the internet is only for teenagers, because I’m in my 40’s I’m not allowed to use modern technology to express an opinion. I guess I should go back to using actual wooden woods and blade irons. Oh wait I do still use blades because I got the game for them. And yes he does have an effect on the price of everything golf related. When you bring more people to the game that creates an added demand which takes us back to the first rule of business, supply and demand. When the demand is greater than the supply prices go up! So my point again is he’s been great for PGA tour players, the networks, and golf retailers who all benefit from the added demand, but as a consumer of golf he has not been good for me or the average avid golf fan who was playing before the Tiger frenzy hit. It was the same deal when Michael Jordan entered the NBA a bunch of new fans came to the game and within a few years his basketball shoe’s where selling for at least double what basketball shoe’s had ever sold for before, not to mention the cost of ticket prices and everything else.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - RG
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 8:20 pm
      
      I’m with you but you can’t reason with an idiot. He thinks he’s a “golf” fan. You can’t explain that golf is just a name for a game that people play. If you want to see the best person play that game at their best, you have to talk about Tiger. If your a “golf” fan forget about the PGA and go watch amateurs play, that’s the purest form of the game. Ohh, you do want to watch The Masters and the other majors. Why? Because in it’s essence we want to watch the best players in the world playing the best courses and conditions. It just so happens that Tiger is the No.1 player in the world, whether any of us like it is irrelevant. Yes I want the No.1 player in the World at the The Masters. It is less for not having him there, no matter what your personal view is. But you can never explain or reason with an idiot.
      
      Reply Report comment
- BILL
  
  Apr 4, 2014 at 6:26 am
  
  Tiger is the Ledgend, you are the Idiot!!
  
  Reply Report comment
KCTitleist11

Apr 2, 2014 at 12:38 am

What terrible news. Obviously, most golfers will still watch the masters, but he’s the reason half of the viewers tune in. Gonna be tough not seeing him out there competing this year.

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Booger

Apr 1, 2014 at 9:34 pm

Finally I can watch the master without having him shoved down my throat no matter how bad he’s playing. All the slow motion replays and close ups while walking down the fairway. Please retire. Would be my dream come true!!

Reply Report comment
- Dave
  
  Apr 1, 2014 at 10:44 pm
  
  Your jealousy is showing a trifle.
  
  Reply Report comment
- MHendon
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 1:08 am
  
  Oh Booger they’ll still shove him down our throats, with constant highlights from the past and any other way they can fit him into the coverage.
  
  Reply Report comment
- James
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 10:40 am
  
  Wow, how do you watch golf? Usually for me there in nothing being shoved down my throat. I think you’re doing it wrong, or right I guess… whatever you’re into I suppose.
  
  Reply Report comment
paul

Apr 1, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Get well Tiger. Golf needs you.

Reply Report comment
- TheLegend
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 2:12 am
  
  not
  
  Reply Report comment
Progolfer

Apr 1, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Get rid of Foley, get rid of problems. Hunter Mahan is going through the same thing now.

Reply Report comment
- Jim
  
  Apr 1, 2014 at 6:43 pm
  
  I agree i think he needs to get back with Butch and lose the caddie as well that guy is useless
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Joe
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 12:15 am
    
    Getting back with Butch would bring him back to the Tiger that wins and competes. Foley has done nothing for him. Tiger could analyze his own swing and win.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - MHendon
      
      Apr 2, 2014 at 1:40 am
      
      You guy’s kill me, it’s always the same thing with you Tiger worshipers. “If he would just go back to Butch, go back to the Scotty Cameron then we’ll have our god back”. Face it guy’s it’s not the coach,(and by the way I’m pretty sure Butch has said he wouldn’t coach Tiger again). It’s not the putter either. It’s not the ball, the driver, the irons and it sure as hell ain’t the caddy (Lacava’s considered one of the best caddy’s on tour). He’s 38, he’s no longer the 21 year old phenom that blew away the field by 12 shots straight out of college in the 97 Masters. Tiger is in the twilight of his career. Oh he’ll still have brief moments of greatness that will get everyone excited saying Tiger’s back, but they won’t last. He’s past his prime PERIOD! Just accept it guys. However on the bright side(for all you Tiger worshipers)in 12 years he’ll dominate the tour again, the Senior Tour.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Scott
        
        Apr 2, 2014 at 11:34 am
        
        Well said MHendon. These guys fail to realize that, per Tiger, “Butch’s swing” contributed substantially to his injury problems. The swing that he is working on is not harder on the body. Injury problems happen to numerous athletes in all sports. Why is it (insert latest scapegoat) fault when father time catches up with all of us at some point. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I could not understand what the aches and pains people in their 40s and 50s were complaining about. They were all wimps. Now that I am there, it all makes sense to me and I apologize to all that I made fun of.
        
        Reply Report comment
SpinalTap

Apr 1, 2014 at 6:16 pm

Poor timing. Should’ve saved this one for a reason to withdraw Friday afternoon.

Reply Report comment
Jeremy

Apr 1, 2014 at 5:44 pm

Tiger’s back is no laughing matter. There are two things that stand in the way to 19 majors – better PGA talent and Tiger’s health. Look at baseball. Pujols (a long shot now), Griffey, and ARod all might have broken Aaron’s HR record. But injuries slowed them down. The talent was there. Will the same thing happen to Tiger?

Reply Report comment
MHendon

Apr 1, 2014 at 5:37 pm

I felt coming into this year Tiger had to win at least one major to have a serious chance at catching Jacks major record. After this set back I don’t see him getting a major this year and next year might even be in question. I still believe he’ll break Snead’s all time wins record but at this point I think Jack’s record is safe. Now for the next 100 years or so we’ll be left with all the talking heads debating who was the greatest Jack for more majors or Tiger for more total wins.

Reply Report comment
steve

Apr 1, 2014 at 4:56 pm

It’s a bummer. Masters will be a little less exciting without him. You want to see the best there. And he is the best of all, present and second to Jack. And I am not a Tiger fan, but I know greatness and he was great. He will never be the old Tiger. Injuries and age, even he can’t beat that. But you have to admire that with all the injuries and the bad swings, he is still the number 1 player in the world. It show’s that he know’s how to play golf better then anyone. At their level 90% is between the ears

Reply Report comment
Dennis Clark

Apr 1, 2014 at 3:33 pm

Remember Hogan after the car accident…

Reply Report comment
Chuck

Apr 1, 2014 at 2:17 pm

Maybe the surgeon gave him a swing tip, retire!

Reply Report comment
Josh

Apr 1, 2014 at 1:56 pm

Wait – What???

“Woods has not won a U.S. Open at Pinehurst, but he’s been close, with two top-3 finishes in the 1995 and 1999 U.S. Opens”

Reply Report comment
- Zak Kozuchowski
  
  Apr 1, 2014 at 3:22 pm
  
  And by 1995 I meant 2005!
  
  Reply Report comment
EdMan

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:59 pm

No April Fools. They say it was a successful surgery but one can only hope at this point. I had back surgery myself 16 months ago. Once he comes back and plays pain free for a period of time can it truly be deemed successful. I pray for Tiger as I know completely what he’s going through. I wish him the best.

Reply Report comment
- TS
  
  Apr 2, 2014 at 8:20 am
  
  Well said.
  
  Reply Report comment
dc1

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:31 pm

He is one tough cookie, and has endured a lot of injuries. While I may not love him as a person, as a golfer and competitor he is one of the best of all time, if not the best…or he was in his prime. It is getting tougher and tougher to come back from all of these injuries as the years add up. He will be missed in Augusta, and on the tour generally. I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Reply Report comment
Justin

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:31 pm

April Fools?

Reply Report comment
HD

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm

April Fools???

Reply Report comment
Taylor Crawford

Apr 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm

Is this a April fools joke? Could he put it out on a worse day?

Reply Report comment
- Forsbrand
  
  Apr 1, 2014 at 12:56 pm
  
  Get well soon Tiger
  
  Reply Report comment
  - BOBBY D
    
    Apr 2, 2014 at 11:56 am
    
    THE MASTERS WITHOUT ELDRICK,BETTER STILL,GOLF WITHOUT ELDRICK…FANTASTIC…GO BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK !!!
    
    Reply Report comment

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