Tiger Woods has undergone his seventh back surgery — and his second in just over a year — after doctors discovered a collapsed lumbar disc that had been causing him significant pain and limiting his mobility.
The 49-year-old golf legend revealed on social media Saturday that he underwent a disc replacement procedure in New York on Friday, marking the latest chapter in his long battle with back issues.
“After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods wrote. “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.”
The latest operation adds to Tiger Woods’ long list of medical setbacks, with the 15-time major champion having undergone multiple procedures on his back, knees, leg, and Achilles tendon over the past decade.
Woods has not played competitively in 2025 as he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in March, and questions remain over when — or even if — he will return to professional golf.
This most recent setback is expected to rule Woods out of both the Hero World Challenge, the December event he hosts, and the PNC Championship, where he has traditionally teamed up with his son Charlie.
Since surviving a near-fatal car crash in 2021 that almost led to the amputation of his right leg, Woods has made only limited appearances — competing in just 15 official events over four years and often withdrawing due to ongoing pain.
His last competitive outing came in the TGL simulator league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy, but following his latest back surgery in October, his participation in the league’s upcoming season now appears highly unlikely.
