Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion, has undergone lumbar disc replacement surgery amid his Achilles rehabilitation. Woods, who hasn’t participated in the 2025 season due to a ruptured left Achilles sustained during training in March, has been supporting his son Charlie on the golf course and furthering his relationship with Vanessa Trump.
Despite uncertainty about his return, Woods has now revealed that he’s had surgery for back issues, specifically disc replacement in his L4/5 Lumbar spine for lower back symptoms.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with Doctors and Surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods shared in a statement. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal.
“I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”
The surgery took place on Friday, performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and was deemed successful. While Woods hasn’t set a definitive timeline for his comeback, recent announcements, including a high-profile match against Rory McIlroy for the return of TGL, and his role in the 2025 Hero World Challenge suggest he’s quietly preparing for a return to action.
The Bahamas event, hosted by Woods, is attracting top-tier players, including two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Despite being eligible for one of three exemption spots, Woods’ recent surgery likely sidelines him from the December event in Albany, Bahamas.
The impact of this injury on Woods’ future plans remains uncertain. Prior to his Achilles injury and subsequent back surgery, he was already playing a limited role on the PGA Tour, only participating in major tournaments.
Woods hasn’t competed professionally since the 2024 Open Championship. This setback could fuel rumors about a possible 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy, especially after Team Europe’s Luke Donald publicly discussed the matter.
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However, before undergoing surgery, Woods planned to return to golf. He has been rehabilitating his ruptured Achilles tendon throughout the year and was recently spotted practicing — a hopeful sign that his recovery is progressing well.
ESPN also confirmed that Woods will officially return to competition in Season 2 of TGL, the high-tech indoor league he co-founded with McIlroy. The season kicks off on Dec. 28 and Woods is scheduled to face off against McIlroy in an eagerly awaited match on March 1.