On Oct. 10, 2025, Tiger Woods, the acclaimed golfer, underwent his seventh back surgery to address a collapsed disc and issues with his spinal canal, which had been causing him significant discomfort and limiting his mobility.
The 49-year-old revealed this development via a statement on the social media platform X, explaining that recent medical evaluations uncovered major issues with his lower spine. Woods noted that the scans identified a collapsed disc at L4/5, along with disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal, prompting him to elect for lumbar disc replacement surgery.
“I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back,” Woods announced in his statement.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, New York, and was deemed successful. Woods had been consulting with medical experts to determine the best course of action due to his persistent pain and mobility limitations.
This operation marks Woods’ third major procedure in the past 13 months, following a microdecompression on his back in September 2024 and surgery for a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. The Achilles injury occurred during increased training and practice at his home, leading to a minimally invasive repair.
Woods first experienced back issues in 2014 when he had his initial microdiscectomy to address a pinched nerve. He subsequently underwent several other surgeries, including a spinal fusion in 2017, which facilitated his remarkable victory at the 2019 Masters Tournament, marking his 15th major championship win.
Since a serious car accident in February 2021, resulting in significant injuries to his right leg and ankle, the 15-time major champion has only participated in 11 competitive PGA Tour events. The accident led to compound fractures and required emergency surgery, with Woods later revealing that amputation had been considered.
In 2024, Woods completed the full major championship schedule for the first time in five years. He finished last among weekend qualifiers at the Masters and missed the cut at the other three majors. His last official PGA Tour appearance was at The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024, where he missed the cut after scoring 79 in the first round.
Woods’ 2025 season was further affected by the death of his mother, Kultida Woods, in February. Preparing for a return at the Genesis Invitational, he withdrew following her passing. Woods described his mother as his biggest fan and greatest supporter, crediting her for his personal achievements.
Since the July 2024 Open, Woods has only competed alongside his 16-year-old son Charlie at the PNC Championship in December 2024, utilizing a golf cart, and in TGL matches for Jupiter Links GC. The indoor golf league co-founded by Woods provided him with limited competitive opportunities while managing his physical limitations.
The timing of this latest surgery leaves questions about Woods’ potential participation in upcoming events. His presence at the PNC Championship in December, where he has partnered with Charlie for the past five years, appears unlikely as he focuses on rehabilitation.
Woods did not specify a recovery timeline or indicate when he might return to competitive golf. The surgery could impact his availability for the second season of TGL, set to begin on December 28, 2025, featuring defending champions Atlanta Drive GC against New York Golf Club.
The 82-time PGA Tour winner, who will turn 50 on December 30, 2025, will be eligible for the PGA Tour Champions in 2026. His limited playing schedule in recent years has seen his world ranking fall outside the top 2,000, a notable shift from his previous status as the world’s top player.
Fellow golfer Phil Mickelson responded to Woods’ announcement on social media, expressing sympathy and wishing him a speedy recovery. The message from the six-time major champion echoed the wider golf community’s concern for Woods’ ongoing health challenges.
During the final round of the Hero World Challenge on December 7, 2025, Woods appeared in the broadcast booth, offering viewers an update on his recovery and long-term objectives. Hosting the annual event in the Bahamas, he discussed his rehabilitation and future career plans.
The tournament at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas featured a 20-player field competing for a $5 million prize, with $1 million for the winner. Hideki Matsuyama claimed victory in a playoff, but much attention remained on Woods, particularly regarding his comments on his recovery progress and return timeline. During his television appearance, Woods acknowledged that his recovery was advancing more slowly than he had anticipated.
He stated that disc replacement surgery necessitates a gradual approach, with doctors initially restricting his movements to ensure proper healing. Woods shared that he had only recently been allowed to resume chipping and putting, and that his medical team was incrementally permitting more rigorous training as his rehabilitation progresses.
Woods explained how his training regimen is being carefully escalated, noting that he has been authorized to engage in strength work and rotational exercises in the gym. These activities are crucial to a golfer’s swing mechanics but were limited during the initial recovery phase. The five-time Hero World Challenge champion emphasized his dedication to the rehabilitation process, but refrained from setting a definitive date for his return to tournament golf.