Tiger Woods says he hopes to return to competitive golf in early 2016 following his second back operation in less than two years.
The former world No. 1 revealed he has had another microdiscectomy surgery after experiencing “occasional discomfort in the back and hip area” in recent weeks.
“With the upcoming offseason, the decision was made to remove a small disc fragment that was pinching his nerve,” said neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Rich, who performed the first procedure in March 2014.
“The microsurgery was a complete success, and he was discharged Thursday night,” Rich said in a statement on Woods’ website.
Woods had failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs but was expected to play in the season-opening Frys.com Open in October plus the Bridgestone America’s Golf Cup in Mexico City and his own Hero World Challenge charity tournament in the Bahamas, which he will still attend.
It raises doubts as to whether the 39-year-old will ever add to his record major tally of 14, having won his last in 2008.
“This is unfortunate, but these things happen,” Woods said. “I’ve been injured before and played again. It won’t be any different this time.”
Woods has struggled again this year, missing the halfway cut at three successive majors for the first time in his illustrious career.
He appeared to find some long-lost form when he finished 10th at the Wyndham Championship in August, his best result this season, but the American was ranked 178th in the FedEx Cup standings — well outside the top 125 who qualified for the first of the four playoff events.
Woods’ friend Jason Day is on course to claim the world No. 1 ranking after matching the PGA Tour’s 36-hole record at the third of these tournaments, the BMW Championship.
The Australian, who won his first major at the PGA Championship and then triumphed at the first of the FedEx playoffs, the Barclays, followed up his opening 61 with a 63 Friday.
He slotted a 43-foot eagle putt in his final hole to take a five-shot lead, equaling the 18-under-par halfway tallies posted by Pat Perez at the 2009 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and David Toms 2011 Crowne Plaza Invitational.
By winning his fourth title in six outings, Day would overtake current No. 1 Rory McIlroy — who was tied for ninth after two rounds — and No. 2 Jordan Spieth, who was seven shots back in equal fourth.
Meanwhile, Europe led 8-5 against the U.S. in the women’s Solheim Cup event after the second day in St. Leon-Rot, Germany.
Carin Koch’s team, seeking to win the title for the third successive time, extended its 5-3 advantage by winning three of Saturday’s four morning foursomes matches.
The Americans reduced the deficit when Lexi Thompson and Cristie Kerr beat Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda 3 & 2 in the only afternoon fourballs match to be completed.
The U.S. also led two of the other three matches when play was halted due to darkness, setting up an intriguing final day which will also feature 12 singles clashes.
