Golf legend Tiger Woods announced that he underwent his seventh back surgery on Friday, October 10, 2025, to address a collapsed disc and compromised spinal canal that had been causing him significant pain and limited mobility.

The 49-year-old golfer revealed the news through a statement posted on the social media platform X, explaining that recent medical tests had uncovered serious issues with his lower spine. Woods indicated that scans revealed a collapsed disc at L4/5, disc fragments, and a compromised spinal canal, prompting him to undergo lumbar disc replacement surgery.

“I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back,” Woods stated in his announcement.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and was deemed successful. Woods noted that after experiencing pain and mobility issues, he had consulted with doctors and surgeons to determine the best course of treatment.

This latest surgery marks Woods’ third major procedure in the past 13 months, following a microdecompression operation on his back in September 2024 and surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. The Achilles injury occurred while Woods was ramping up his training and practice at home, forcing him to undergo a minimally invasive repair procedure.

Woods’ back problems began in 2014 with his first microdiscectomy for a pinched nerve. He subsequently underwent multiple procedures, including a spinal fusion in 2017 that ultimately led to his remarkable comeback victory at the 2019 Masters Tournament. That triumph marked his 15th major championship and fifth green jacket.

The 15-time major champion has made only 11 competitive starts on the PGA Tour since a devastating car crash in February 2021 that left him with career-threatening injuries to his right leg and ankle. The single-vehicle accident resulted in compound fractures and required emergency surgery, with Woods later revealing that amputation had been a serious consideration.

Woods managed to complete a full major championship schedule in 2024 for the first time in five years, finishing last among weekend qualifiers at the Masters before missing the cut at the other three majors. His last official PGA Tour appearance was at The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024, where he missed the cut after shooting 79 in the opening round.

The golfer’s 2025 season was further disrupted by personal tragedy when his mother, Kultida Woods, passed away in February. Woods had been planning a comeback at the Genesis Invitational but withdrew following her death. He described his mother as his biggest fan and greatest supporter, noting that none of his personal achievements would have been possible without her.

Woods’ only competitive appearances since the July 2024 Open have been alongside his 16-year-old son Charlie at the PNC Championship in December 2024, where he could use a golf cart, and in TGL matches for Jupiter Links GC. The indoor golf league, co-founded by Woods, allowed him limited competition while managing his physical limitations.

The timing of this latest surgery raises questions about Woods’ availability for upcoming events. He was notably absent from the initial field announcement for the Hero World Challenge, a tournament he hosts in the Bahamas scheduled for December 4-7, 2025. His participation in the PNC Championship later in December, where he has played alongside Charlie for the past five years, also remains uncertain.

Woods did not provide a specific recovery timeline or indicate when he might return to competitive golf. The procedure could potentially impact his availability for the second season of TGL, which is scheduled to begin on December 28, 2025, with defending champions Atlanta Drive GC facing New York Golf Club.

The 82-time PGA Tour winner, who turns 50 on December 30, 2025, will become eligible for the PGA Tour Champions in 2026. His limited playing schedule in recent years has caused his world ranking to drop outside the top 2,000, a stark contrast to his former position as the world’s number one player.

Fellow golfer Phil Mickelson was among those who responded to Woods’ announcement on social media, expressing sympathy and wishing him a speedy recovery. The six-time major champion’s message reflected the broader golf community’s concern for Woods’ ongoing health struggles.