Berlin: Former golf world number one Tiger Woods has undergone another operation in a bid to rid himself of persistant back problems.
“The surgery went well, and I’m optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain,” Woods said on his website late on Thursday. “When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long.”
Woods had hoped to make a return to the course in 2017 but pulled out of the opening major of the year, the Masters at Augusta, earlier this month having hardly played.
A statement said that “due to previous herniations and three surgeries, Woods’ bottom lower-back disc severely narrowed, causing sciatica and severe back and leg pain.
“Conservative therapy, which included rehabilitation, medications, limiting activities and injections, failed as a permanent solution, and Woods opted to have surgery.”
Woods has 14 major victories to his name but none since 2008 and since 2013 has struggled to perform consistently due to various injuries.
He continues to chase Jack Nicklaus’ record haul of 18 majors and Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA Tour victories — Woods currently has 79.
“After he recovers from surgery, he will gradually begin his rehabilitation until he is completely healed,” said Dr Richard Guyer, the surgeon who carried out the operation. — dpa
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