Tiger Woods recently announced an extended hiatus from professional golf following a back surgery he underwent in October. This marks his seventh back surgery and third major operation in the past two years, with previous procedures on his Achilles and ankle.
Despite his illustrious career that began nearly three decades ago, Woods has been hampered by injuries since his victory at the Masters in 2019, ending an 11-year Major drought. While he did host the Hero World Challenge golf tournament in the Bahamas, he acknowledges the challenging road ahead in his recovery, hinting at a prolonged absence from the golf course.
Although he humorously mentioned playing numerous events on both tours, Woods emphasized the need to focus on his return to playing before considering his future schedule. He recently received clearance to resume chipping and putting after a six-week recovery period post-disc replacement surgery, allowing him to gradually intensify his training regimen.
A significant driving force for Woods could be breaking the PGA record for most tournament wins, currently tied at 82 with golf legend Sam Snead. Notah Begay III, a close friend of Woods, highlighted that the golfer’s primary hurdle post-surgeries is the physical demand of navigating the golf course.
Woods remains determined to make a successful comeback, prioritizing his rehabilitation and gradual return to competitive play over immediate scheduling decisions.