Tiger Woods announced on his website that he underwent another back surgery, his fourth in four years.
"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."
According the website, Woods will now rest "for several weeks" before beginning therapy and treatment. TigerWoods.com also said that patients typically need six months to "return to full activity."
Woods returned to the PGA Tour this season after more than a year away from professional golf. He played in two events before withdrawing from a tournament in Dubai after just one round. He later cancelled an appearance at a press conference for the Genesis Open which is hosted by his foundation.
In each case back spasms were cited as the reason, and his agent said they were unrelated to the recent back problems that kept him out of competitive golf for more than a year.
In March, Tour veteran Steve Stricker, who worked with Woods during last year's Presidents Cup, told The Golf Channel that he had recently communicated with Tiger through texts saying he didn't think Woods was "doing that well right now physically."
Even before the surgery, Stricker was not optimistic we would see Woods on the course anytime soon.
"Obviously he has to get his body right first before he can compete," Stricker said. "Then it’s going to take some time I think for him to come back believing in his swing and trusting in his ability again."
