Tiger Woods is just under three months removed from undergoing a microdecompression surgery intended to relieve nerve impingement in his lower back. This procedure, aimed at addressing persistent discomfort, comes as yet another chapter in Woods’ long history of battling physical setbacks.
It was unsurprising, then, that on Tuesday, Woods entered the press conference at Albany Resort with a slow and careful gait. He was there to provide updates but was clearly not yet prepared to take on the physical demands of playing four rounds of competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge. Last year, at this same event, Woods placed 18th out of 20 players. At the time, he spoke optimistically about competing in monthly tournaments throughout 2024. However, reality didn’t align with his hopes, as he ended up playing just 11 rounds of official golf this year.
Reflecting on his difficulties, Woods candidly acknowledged, “I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year. It was quite painful throughout the end of the year, which is why I had another procedure done to alleviate the pain that was radiating down my leg.” His plans for monthly appearances seemed like a distant dream. He added, “So whether my commitment going forward is once a month—yeah, I could say that all over again, but I truly don’t know.” For now, his focus remains on rehabilitation, regaining strength, and trying to give himself the best chance at a more consistent season in the coming year.
“This year was kind of—I had to toss it away,” Woods admitted. “I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be, and I didn’t play as much as I wanted going into the major championships, and ultimately, I didn’t play well in those events.” He expressed hope for a better showing in 2025: “Hopefully, next year will be better. I’ll be physically stronger. I know the procedure helped, and I hope to build on that.”
Over the past decade, Woods has been no stranger to surgeries and rehabilitation. His physical trials have included four microdiscectomies—one in 2014, two in 2015, and another in 2020. He also underwent a significant spinal fusion surgery in 2017, which led to a brief resurgence, highlighted by a remarkable two-year stretch that culminated in a fifth Masters victory.
The challenges continued, however, with numerous additional procedures following his serious car crash in 2021, and most recently, the microdecompression surgery in September 2024. Although this latest surgery is akin to a microdiscectomy, it is considered slightly less invasive. The recovery, though, is still a lengthy eight to twelve weeks, and Woods has not yet resumed rigorous golf practice.
“The pain that was radiating down my leg and the spasms I experienced were tough to deal with through the end of the year,” Woods explained, “but that’s been alleviated now. Still, I’m not fully there yet. I don’t quite walk right, and that’s partly an ongoing issue with my ankle.” Woods remains unsure whether he will be ready for the PNC Championship in late December, where he typically plays alongside his son Charlie, aided by the use of a golf cart. He was also asked about his involvement in the TGL simulator golf league, which is set to kick off on January 14. He expressed optimism about being ready to compete in that setting.
“I am disappointed,” Woods acknowledged regarding his absence from the Hero World Challenge, an event he hosts. “I’m not physically ready yet to compete at this level. In the past, I’ve been able to come back here ready to compete and start playing again. Unfortunately, not this time. I still need to keep training to give myself the best chance going into next year and the events ahead.”
As Woods approaches his 49th birthday on December 30, his competitive appearances have been sparse—just 11 tournaments worldwide since his return from the 2021 car crash, and only five this year.
He managed to extend his streak by making the cut for the 24th consecutive time at the Masters, but he struggled elsewhere, missing cuts at the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, which marked his last competitive outing.
Though Woods has not set a firm timetable for his return, speculation surrounds the Genesis Invitational in February, another event that Woods hosts. He played there earlier this year but was forced to withdraw during the second round due to illness.
The possibility of making a return at this tournament, contingent on his recovery, seems plausible given Woods’ preference for hosting duties.
Reflecting on his journey through repeated medical procedures, Woods noted, “I think the best way to describe it is that I know what to expect coming out of it. The relief I had from the surgery—no spasms, no nerve pain—was fantastic. But I also understand that there’s still a long road ahead of me with rehab and recovery. I wish I hadn’t had to know this so well, but I do. I know the process; I know how long it’s going to take. We’ll continue with all the gym work, all the protocols, and eventually, I’ll get to a place where I can compete again.”
Even without a clear return date, Woods made it evident that he’s in no rush, given his extensive history of physical setbacks. “I’m just progressively trying to test it, keep making progress without triggering a setback,” he said. “I don’t want to take steps backward; I just want to keep improving and give myself the best shot going into next year. I feel like I’m getting stronger and more flexible, but there’s still a long way to go before I can compete against these guys.”
Despite the persistent challenges, the competitive fire in Woods has never extinguished. He still finds great joy in playing the game he loves. “The fire still burns to compete,” he said. “The difference is that my body doesn’t recover the way it used to. I still love doing it, I love competing—whether it’s playing cards or golf, no matter what it is. That competitive drive will never leave me. But as far as being able to recover and go out there again and again at a high level, that’s the struggle now. For some reason, the body just doesn’t recover like it used to. That’s part of aging and part of an athlete’s journey.”
Woods’ journey—filled with both triumphs and setbacks—is now largely a testament to his resilience and determination.
The coming months will be critical as he strives to return to the game, and though the uncertainty of his future in competitive golf looms, there’s no questioning his resolve to try again.
