A close associate of Tiger Woods has revealed that the golfing icon is aware his illustrious career is nearing its end, stating “he’s not in denial.”
Woods recently announced he underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery on his spine, having already been sidelined for the entire 2025 season due to a ruptured Achilles sustained during training in March.
Despite his numerous successes on the PGA Tour, fans have been urging Woods to retire following yet another major injury.
According to a close friend, the 49 year old golf legend understands that his time in the sport is winding down. “He’s not stupid,” the insider told the Daily Mail.
“He knows things are winding down, and he’s coming to terms with it. He’s turning 50 this year.”, reports The Mirror.
However, rather than retiring immediately, Woods is reportedly planning one final comeback, hoping to leave the sport on his own terms.
“He won’t retire but he’s slowing down,” the source explained. “He wants to do at least one more major and to perform well in it. He wants to end the career with a bang, not a whimper. But right now, we’ll have to see.”
Woods is no stranger to the challenges of recovery. His recent procedure on his L4-L5 vertebrae marked his seventh back surgery and third operation in the last two years.
“He’s not in denial, but he wants to push himself until there’s nothing more he can do,” Woods’ friend said. “It depends on his recovery if he’s there yet or not. Seems pretty likely that he is.”
Posting on social media last week, Woods declared that the procedure – which was carried out by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York – was the right choice for his wellbeing.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with Doctors and Surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods said in an official statement. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal.
“I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”
While Woods seems determined to make a comeback to the courses eventually, golf reporter Dan Rapaport voiced skepticism about his ability to achieve this goal.
“Let’s zoom out a little bit and look at what Tiger Woods has done, or more accurately, what he hasn’t done since the accident,” Rapaport said while discussing Woods’ devastating car crash in 2021, during which he suffered a shattered right leg and ankle before being extracted from the wreckage using the jaws of life.
“He missed the cut in the last three majors in 2024. He has 10 starts total since the accident. His best finish in those starts is a tied for 45th at the Genesis Invitational in 2023.
“This feels like the end. And I know what you’re thinking, it’s been the end. I’m just telling you how I feel. This one hit me at the end. I feel like his body is breaking down.”
