Tiger Woods announced on his website that he underwent a fourth surgery on his back in 40 months to alleviate continuing lower back and leg pain.
Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN that the procedure, known as an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, was performed on Wednesday by Dr. Richard Guyer of the Center for Disc Replacement at the Texas Back Institute.
“The surgery went well, and I’m optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain,” Woods said on the website. “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 14-time major champion last played in the Dubai Desert Classic in February, when he withdrew before the second round because of back spasms.
The website report indicated recovery time is about six months, meaning Woods might not play again this year, but that he will begin rehabilitation within a few weeks. There was no timetable given for a return to competition.
“After he recovers from surgery, he will gradually begin his rehabilitation until he is completely healed,” Guyer said in a statement released by Woods. “Once that’s accomplished, his workouts will be geared to allowing him to return to competitive golf.”
The 41-year-old Woods has said that if he is healthy, he believes can make a run at Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championship victories. Nicklaus won the Masters when he was 46 in 1986.
Woods has 79 PGA Tour victories, three short of Sam Snead’s record, last winning at the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational.
