THOMASTOWN, IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Tiger Woods of the United States (left) has some cream rubbed into his injured back by caddy Steve Williams on the fourth hole during the first round of the American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Golf Club on September 30, 2004 in Thomastown, Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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It was over 29 years ago that Tiger Woods announced his professional debut in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. His scripted but seemingly organic “Hello, world, huh?” statement would mark the beginning of one of the most illustrious careers in sports history. That career, however, may have finally come to an end.
Woods announced over the weekend that he underwent surgery to repair and replace a failing lumbar disc between the L4 and L5 vertebrae in his back. Considered one of the greatest players in golf history, Woods has faced numerous setbacks off the course, many of them due to injury.
“After experiencing pain and a lack of mobility in my back, I consulted doctors and surgeons for tests,” Woods said in a statement. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/L5, disc fragments, and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday and already know I made a good decision for my health and back.”
It was back in 1994 — two years before his pro debut — that Woods first went under the knife. While at Stanford University, he had a benign tumor removed from his left knee. Woods would go on to win a U.S. Amateur title that same year, then follow it up with another U.S. Amateur victory and an NCAA Championship in 1995.
In December 2002, Woods again had a cyst removed from his left knee and fluid drained. Just two months later, he returned to competition and won the 2003 Buick Open.
FORT BRAGG, NC – APRIL 16: Tiger Woods gives a thumbs up as he arrives in a military Humvee through red smoke to start his golf exhibition April 16, 2004 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After spending the week training with Army troops, Woods hosted the Tiger Woods Foundation?s 30th Junior Golf Clinic and was part of a golf exhibition on the base. Earl Woods, Tiger?s father, was stationed on the base in the 1960s. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty Images)
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In 2006, seeking a new challenge and outlet, Woods began training with the U.S. Navy SEALs. He reportedly participated in parachute jumps, live-fire drills, and light combat exercises, activities that drew concern from those close to him. At one point, his relationship with the SEALs soured over a dinner incident that became the stuff of legend:
“We are all baffled,” said one SEAL, a veteran of multiple combat deployments. “We’re sitting there with Tiger f—ing Woods, who probably makes more than all of us combined in a day. He’s shooting our ammo, taking our time. He’s a weird f—ing guy. That’s weird s—. Something’s wrong with you.”
That same year, Woods complained of shoulder pain, then proceeded to win three consecutive tournaments: the Bridgestone Invitational, the Deutsche Bank Championship, and the American Express Championship. Injury seemed powerless to slow him down.
Between 2007 and 2008, Woods battled multiple leg injuries, including a torn ACL and stress fractures. Despite this, he famously won the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, defeating Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff while grimacing through the pain. Afterward, Woods underwent surgery to repair his ACL and heal his tibial stress fractures, as well as recover from a torn Achilles tendon. By 2009, he was back to winning form, capturing six titles that season.
Golf: US Open: Tiger Woods upset on green during Monday playoff round vs Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines GC. La Jolla, CA 6/16/2008 CREDIT: Robert Beck (Photo by Robert Beck /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X80484 TK5 R21 F96 )
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“It was a great battle,” Woods said afterward. He was speaking of Mediate in particular, but he could have meant so much more. Asked how this one rates among all of his majors, Woods said, “I think this one is the best, just because of all the things I had to deal with.”
In 2010, Woods began experiencing back and neck pain for the first time, withdrawing from The Players Championship after an MRI revealed an inflamed facet joint.
Sponsorship losses, personal turmoil, and lingering injuries led to a two-year winless stretch. Woods returned to form in 2012, winning three tournaments, followed by five more in 2013, including The Players and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Then came 2014, the beginning of a decade-long back saga. He withdrew from the Honda Classic, missed his title defense at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and underwent back surgery that April. After mixed results in his brief return, Woods had two additional surgeries in 2015 with Dr. Charles Rich, including a microdiscectomy and a procedure to reduce pressure on his spine. He spent 15 months off the Tour.
In 2017, during another hiatus, Woods was arrested for DUI after police found a mixture of painkillers, sleep aids, and THC in his system, including hydrocodone, hydromorphone, Xanax, zolpidem, and THC delta-9. He was reportedly managing severe back spasms at the time and soon underwent yet another surgery for nerve pain.
By 2018, Woods finally enjoyed an injury-free season, capping it off with a victory at the Tour Championship. But the comeback was short-lived. He withdrew from the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational with a neck strain, then stunned the sports world by winning the 2019 Masters, his first major title in 11 years. That August, he underwent minor knee surgery, but still managed to win the ZoZo Championship in October.
Although he remained healthy through 2020, the pandemic limited his schedule. Woods cited both overuse and overtraining as reasons for his reduced play.
Los Angeles, California-The vehicle driven by Tiger Woods is towed away on Hawthorne Blvd after he ran off the road and sustained injuries. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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In February 2021, Woods was involved in a single-car crash near Los Angeles that left him with devastating leg injuries. His Genesis GV80 rolled several times, and doctors initially feared he might lose a limb. Remarkably, he recovered enough to walk, and eventually return to golf in 2022. In April 2023, he underwent a subtalar fusion surgery on his right ankle.
Earlier this year, Woods underwent an Achilles tendon repair after rupturing it during a training session. The surgery was deemed successful, however, Woods would not return to competitive golf, withdrawing from the majors.
Now, following his latest back operation, questions about Woods’ future in competitive golf are again swirling. His recent appearances in the TGL Simulator Golf League had marked his only competitive play in 2025. Woods played in five PGA Tour events in 2024, missing the cut in three, finishing 60th in one, and withdrawing from another.
Whether this latest surgery marks the end of Tiger Woods’ storied career remains to be seen, but the arc of his perseverance, pain, and passion has already secured his place among the greatest athletes of all time.
