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The “Golf Emperor” has fallen again because of back problems. His plan to come back to the course this year is now effectively canceled.

Tiger Woods, 50, stated on the 12th (Korean time), “Because of recent lower back pain that made regular movement challenging, I had an examination and found symptoms such as a herniated disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae and spinal stenosis. I had surgery yesterday.” The operation included removing a damaged disc in the lower back and replacing it with an artificial one, which was successfully carried out at a hospital in New York, U.S.

Woods, who had been getting ready for a year-end return after having Achilles tendon surgery in March, now must take additional time off for several more months because of this operation. His ability to take part in the Bahamas Hero World Challenge, a tournament he organizes in December, and the PNC Championship—a family team event he has previously played in with his son Charlie—has become challenging. Individuals who have artificial disc replacement surgery usually need 3 to 6 months to regain normal movement. Golfers, in particular, are likely to require even more time to fully execute a swing.

This represents Woods’ seventh back operation. In April 2014, he initially had a microdiscectomy due to a lower back nerve injury. The next year, he underwent two additional surgeries in the same region, and in 2017, he had an operation to remove a disc between the vertebrae and the pelvic bone beneath that area and to stabilize the bones. Following his victory at the Masters in 2019, it appeared he had recovered, but persistent pain resulted in three more procedures, including this one.

Studies indicate that Woods’ back injuries originated from the intense swing movements he performed during his peak years. To achieve powerful swings on the PGA Tour, he used greater rotational force compared to others, leading to increased pressure on his spine, which developed into a long-term issue. Even after modifying his swing technique following the 2017 operation, the problem remained.

Woods did not specify a return schedule in his surgery announcement. U.S. media suggest that he is unlikely to take part in next year’s major competitions. Woods’ most recent official PGA Tour event was the Open held in July of last year.