With all of the many tournaments and different headlines to take place in this 2025 PGA Tour season, many may have forgotten about a top face in the sport. The pro since 1996 being Tiger Woods, who has recently been forced into recovery after major back surgeries. His most recent surgery coming in a lumbar disc replacement, another roadblock put in front of his already doubtful return back to the sport. With a career filled with 82 total wins, the soon to be 50-year-old is only becoming more seasoned and now maybe forced to step away from the game in its entirety. This sport has seen a multitude of highs with Woods as the front-runner, now it’s time to entertain a possible reality without arguably the best to ever play the sport.
Playing The Long Game
The long game is just that for Woods, another added input to an already frustrating equation for the veteran. Having to get yet another surgery on his back, only pushes his possible return back even more. Having to most recently repair a ruptured Achilles Tendon in March, Woods has spent most of his time on the outside looking in.
Tiger Woods, center, walks the course to watch his son Charlie Woods compete in the 41st Nicklaus Junior Championship at the Tequesta Country Club on June 23, 2025 in Tequesta, Florida.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods’ said. “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.”
At this stage in the career for Woods, time is unfortunately not on his side or a benefit. With those like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the chance to add on more wins has become even more difficult than last seen. One plus that has come since the sidelining of Woods and company, is his very own design company named TGR Design. One of the most illustrious companies in the sport of golf, while also being a firm dedicated to the further development of golf courses around the world. Including his very own 13 created courses, a most recent coming in the “Marcella Club”. A private club located in Park City, Utah and the first mountain design done by the team. With the career Tour wins having slowed down in total, Woods is still a recipient of wins outside the course.
Passing The Torch
There is not much of a timetable or baseline, in terms of navigating the return back to golf for Woods. The recovery time will be one that must not be rushed, after dealing with an already difficult road back to competition after last spurts seen at the 2024 Masters. One positive that still will remain despite the ups and downs, is the uprising of his son in Charlie Woods. Working as the caddie for Charlie in some tournaments, Tiger has had a front row seat to the next possible chapter in the Woods run within the sport.
While many had their eyes glued to the Ryder Cup and deservingly so, The 16-year-old prodigy finished with an eye opening 68 and led The Benjamin School to a win. Putting on a show at the South Florida PGA Junior Golf West Coast High School Championship, at the TwinEagles Talon Course in Naples, Florida. Picking up right where his dad left off in his own career, totaling in with eight birdies to open up the round but finishing tied fourth overall.
Main Photo Credit: © GREG LOVETT/PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
