Tiger Woods health update: Legendary golfer undergoes back surgery in latest injury setback

Tiger Woods’ Achilles surgery in early 2025 took the golf legend off the course for all four of the year’s majors, along with all other tournaments since the mid-March injury. Now, another health setback could complicate his return.

Woods announced he underwent another surgery on Saturday, unrelated to the Achilles procedure he had in March. 

It’s been nearly 10 months since Woods last took the course at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie. Some have wondered whether Woods is targeting a return in the same event in December.

Here are the latest updates on Woods’ health and a look at how his surgery could impact his return timeline.

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Tiger Woods health update

Woods announced Saturday that he underwent lower back surgery, the seventh back surgery of his career.

“I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back,” Woods said on social media, revealing, “scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal.”

Woods did not offer a timeline on his return to the course or whether the procedure would affect his timeline.

For Woods, the procedure is only the latest health complication in the latter portion of his career. He underwent surgery for a torn ACL in 2008 and has battled back trouble for more than a decade, including several surgeries. Woods also suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash and tore his Achilles in March. 

Despite his health woes, Woods has not indicated he’s considering retirement. 

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How old is Tiger Woods?

Woods is 49 years old; he is set to turn 50 on Dec. 30.

The 15-time major champion has dealt with a litany of injuries over the years, but by all indications, his passion for golf remains strong. Woods competed with his son late last year and has made it clear he is looking to get back on the golf course once healthy.