Imagine this: the golf icon who revolutionized the game, Tiger Woods, battling through yet another setback with his latest back surgery. Could this be the turning point for his return to the fairways, or is it just another chapter in his ongoing medical saga? Let's dive into the details and explore what this means for one of golf's greatest legends.
Given Woods' extensive history of health challenges, it's not surprising that he underwent another back procedure, as revealed in a Saturday announcement from Sports Illustrated. This event adds to the air of intrigue that often surrounds his personal and professional life.
Woods skipped every competitive golf event in 2025 due to an Achilles tendon injury from March, which he detailed in another Sports Illustrated report. It's reasonable to assume he took far fewer swings that year—certainly not as many as if he'd been competing on the tour or preparing for big championships like the majors.
Therefore, pinpointing the exact cause of this recent surgery—a lumbar disk replacement performed on Friday—is tricky. He might have pushed his activity levels and encountered persistent pain, or perhaps this operation was inevitable regardless.
Interestingly, Woods had a microdecompression procedure in the same spinal area just over a year ago, which usually provides longer relief than what he experienced here. So, the reasons remain a bit of a mystery.
That said, this latest intervention could offer significant comfort. Woods' public statement didn't mention a comeback, and since his 2021 car accident—covered extensively by Sports Illustrated, which left his lower right leg badly damaged—he's been cautious about hype around returns.
But here's where it gets controversial: This procedure targets the spine above his 2017 spinal fusion, potentially allowing him to resume golfing if he chooses, at least until another issue crops up. Spinal fusion, for those new to the topic, connects vertebrae to stabilize the spine and reduce pain, often improving quality of life more than athletic performance. Experts noted back then that fusing one area might shift stress to higher parts of the spine—and that's precisely what's happened. Now that this new region has been addressed, the strain from a golf swing or daily activities will move even further up.
Woods has undergone two disk-related procedures since his fusion, culminating in this replacement.
For medical enthusiasts, it's noteworthy that he switched surgeons this time, opting for Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi in New York instead of Dr. Richard Guyer, who handled the previous operations in Florida and Texas. Guyer, a pioneer in disk replacements at his Texas Back Institute over 25 years ago, performed the 2017 fusion and has publicly supported Woods despite privacy constraints.
Woods chose Guyer after a frantic 2017 search for relief, having failed three microdiscectomies—minimally invasive surgeries to remove herniated disk material—and running out of options. With his physical therapist Dan Hellman, he flew to London post-Masters Champions Dinner, enduring excruciating pain.
Hellman guided his rehab through the successful 2018 comeback. Reflecting on it all, it's remarkable Woods returned at all, clinching the 2019 Masters, two more PGA Tour titles, and peaking at sixth in the world rankings.
I explored this deeply in my 2024 book DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods. Hellman shared how London revelations shocked him, calling Woods' 2014-15 efforts—despite a ravaged spine—'a feat of human determination.' Even playing partial rounds in early 2017 was astonishing.
The London trip sought expert advice. Dr. Damian Fahy, a spinal surgeon there, recalled to The Daily Telegraph after Woods' 2019 win: 'People underestimate the agony Tiger endured—constant, 24/7 pain. His priority was pain-free time with his kids. Golf recovery? A bonus. Winning the Masters? Unbelievable courage. Many would've retired, but not him.'
Fahy recommended fusion; Woods went with Guyer for surgery two weeks later. A year on, he thrived on the course.
Yet, post-2019 Zozo Championship win (his 82nd PGA Tour title), Woods has only played 21 official events. The 2021 crash sidelined him entirely, and this year's Achilles injury demanded extensive rehab. While 2022 focused on mobility, underlying back problems persisted.
His future effectiveness is speculative. But here's the part most people miss: Woods could potentially return early 2026 if ready. The Champions Tour, a senior circuit for players 50+, offers a gentle reentry to hone skills. He might aim for majors, though not guaranteed entry via past wins.
It's poignant that he hasn't played Royal Birkdale—host of next year's British Open—since a 1998 third-place finish, missing 2008 and 2017 due to injuries. A return to St. Andrews, where he won twice and returned in 2022, feels fitting.
Turning 50 in December, it's saddening he might not pursue what brought him fame. Jack Nicklaus competed in majors until 58, winning his last at 65. Can Woods do the same? Does he even want to?
These are open questions. He deserves a patient approach—maybe starting with a few Champions Tour events—on his own timeline.
Shifting gears, LIV Golf's offseason has been unusually quiet, with no announcements on its Promotions event or International Series qualifiers.
Rumors swirl about signings, including two recent PGA Tour winners per Golf Digest. Englishman Marco Penge, fresh off a Spanish Open victory, told Ten-Golf he'd skip LIV for the PGA Tour, qualifying via top-10 DP World Tour standings. 'I'm heading to America to find a home for January,' he said. 'I'll play PGA Tour, chase playoffs, then return to Europe. I love competing against elites and winning national opens—memories for life.'
LIV relegated six players post-August season, including Henrik Stenson. Teams resist International Series or qualifier pickups, and unsigned top-24 finishers risk replacement.
Speculation grows: Will LIV add teams for more entry points and signings? Upfront pay has reportedly decreased, now team-funded. Still, $20 million individual purses and $10 million weekly team pots mean big rewards.
LIV's Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) application, filed in July, remains shrouded. Has it addressed 2023 OWGR concerns like promotion/relegation? Or negotiated alternatives? OWGR worries about ranking players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, pushing for broader access.
Time's ticking—December's Promotions event needs planning, with four International Series events left. Players chase spots unaware of LIV ties.
Meanwhile, the PGA Tour is reducing the Champions Tour pension fund from $10 million to $8 million, linked to its for-profit shift. This cuts credits for top-48 finishers (unlike PGA Tour's cut-based earnings).
Peter Jacobsen, a tour veteran and broadcaster, called it 'disheartening.' 'The Tour's flush with cash subsidizing anti-LIV efforts, but we're mimicking LIV—overpaying fewer players, while Champions suffers.'
As the Tour leans out for investors, Champions and Korn Ferry Tours may shrink. Champions has 24 events, 70% scheduled through 2029, including the Constellation Furyk & Friends until 2030.
Sponsorships for Champions cost less than PGA Tour events, but unsubsidized ones face scrutiny amid cost-cutting.
The pension plan is highly regarded, with PGA Tour players earning tax-free credits—around $6,000 per cut, doubling after 15 in a year. For example, Scottie Scheffler with 20 cuts in 2025 might add $150,000, modest for stars but valuable long-term for others.
This raises a controversial point: Is the PGA Tour prioritizing short-term profits over player welfare, especially veterans? And with LIV evolving, does golf need more unity or competition?
What do you think? Can Tiger Woods defy odds for another comeback, or is retirement inevitable? Should LIV Golf expand access, or stick to its model? Share your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, let's discuss!
