Tiger goes under the knife again

Tiger Woods is set for even more time out of professional golf after it was announced that he has undergone back surgery today.

Tiger’s last round of golf was in the Dubai Desert Classic at the start of the year, but he has been absent ever since.

It seemed touch and go whether he would tee it up in the Masters a few weeks ago, but after announcing that he’d sit out, there were rumours that the 14–time major champion was targeting a return before the Players Championship next month.

But it appears that Woods will be out of action for another long period after undergoing successful surgery today.

"The surgery went well, and I'm optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain," Woods said.

"When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long."    

The operation was performed by Dr. Richard Guyer of the Center for Disc Replacement at the Texas Back Institute.

"After he recovers from surgery, he will gradually begin his rehabilitation until he is completely healed," Guyer said. "Once that's accomplished, his workouts will be geared to allowing him to return to competitive golf.
 
"If you are going to have single–level fusion, the bottom level is the best place for it to occur. Some individuals are born with one less vertebrae, which would be similar to someone who had a single-–evel fusion," Guyer added.
 
Woods will now rest for several weeks, then begin therapy and treatment. While each procedure and case is unique, patients typically return to full activity in about six months.
 
"I would like to thank all the fans for staying in touch and their kind wishes," Woods said. "The support I have received has never waned, and it really helps."

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