Tiger Woods has been forced to delay his return to competitive golf after undergoing surgery on his back for the seventh time.
Ernie Els has wished Woods well after his successful surgery, which follows on from his Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year.
Phil Mickelson has consoled Woods as well after his operation, with the latter believing he has made the right decision in taking action.
But it will keep him sidelined for some time, meaning his absence from the PGA Tour is set to continue indefinitely.
Woods rehabilitated in his garden after his first back surgery in 2014, and he was able to go on to win The Masters in 2019 despite his struggles in that area.
When Tiger Woods is expected to return to golf from a seventh back surgery
Woods did not provide a potential return date in his update, but that scenario has now been discussed by Golf Digest’s Jaime Diaz.
Asked on Golf Channel if we are past the point of surprise with Woods, he said: “Probably and especially if you consider his history.
“He had that fusion back in 2017 and that was to give him a chance to play again. Then he had another fusion on his ankle earlier in 2024 and that was to alleviate pain as well. Right now I think the whole issue is managing pain so that he can swing a golf club with some freedom.
“Even though that is going to cost him the second half of this year and probably most of next year, it is still better to get rid of the pain and start to get back into a mode where he can swing a golf club like the player he wants to be. If he is just fighting pain the whole time it is just unpleasant. He has a problem walking anyway.
“This was probably something which made that feel worse, so try to eliminate those things that cause pain and make golf unpleasant because I think what he wants to do is play golf freely and play the sport that he loves so much.”
Tiger Woods told if he can win another major championship after latest back surgery
It remains to be seen exactly when Woods can make a return to the course, while his presence at the 2026 TGL has also been placed into doubt.
He took part in the inaugural event earlier this season, having founded TGL with fellow PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy.
Sharing further comment on the timing of the surgery, Diaz added: “Long term I think it’s the best idea to do it sooner rather than later. It was starting to crop up and there was no point going on and waiting.
“Okay, he is going to miss the Father and Son and the Hero World and the TGL and everything, but I think he has got years of golf ahead of him if he can somehow play golf pain free.
“I know that maybe sounds wishful thinking to a lot of people but there is PGA Tour Champions, there is a lot of things that he can still do and he may lose a little swing speed, but he can still play in majors and you just never know. Phil Mickelson won a major at 51. I don’t count Tiger out if he’s pain free.”
Mickelson remarkably triumphed at the 2021 PGA Championship just shy of his 51st birthday, which could instil some belief in Woods.
But he perhaps has already experienced his major miracle, having won The Masters in 2019 for the 15th major title of his glittering career.
Woods will turn 50 later this year, and given his ongoing injury struggles, it’s clear he must prioritise his health over any more silverware.
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