Tiger Woods’ return to the golf scene faces another setback following his recent surgery. Since his serious car crash in 2021, Woods has participated in only 11 tournaments. Once a dominant force as the world’s No. 1 for 281 consecutive weeks, he has now plummeted to the 2001st spot due to extended periods of inactivity. His most recent competition was in 2024, where he failed to make the cut at the Open, finishing his second round significantly over par.
Anticipated to compete in the Genesis Invitational in February, Woods had to withdraw due to his mother’s passing. However, his hopes for a comeback took a hit with news of his seventh back surgery. The surgery, a lumbar disc replacement in the L4/5 lumbar spine, was deemed successful by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
The recovery process from this latest surgery suggests that Woods may need at least a year before contemplating a return to golf. With a history of multiple medical procedures, including recent setbacks like a ruptured Achilles tendon, Woods’ physical challenges have been mounting since his car accident in 2021. Despite his resilience, questions arise about his motivation amid these ongoing battles with his body. While he managed to participate in the 2024 Masters, his performance was lackluster, finishing well behind the leaderboard.
In the midst of his struggles, Woods has been seen supporting his 16-year-old son, Charlie, who is following his father’s golfing legacy by competing in junior championships. Although Woods shared the course with his son in the 2024 PNC Championship, showcasing a brief return to golf, his future in professional tournaments remains uncertain given his recent surgery and persistent injury woes.