The Early Warning Signs: Knee Problems Emerge (2002-2008)
Tiger’s injury saga began earlier than most fans realize. In 2002, he underwent his first knee surgery to remove fluid and a benign tumor from his left knee. Looking back through the lens of his complete medical history, that surgery was the first crack in what would become a comprehensive physical breakdown.
The knee issues persisted. By April 2008, Woods underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. What happened next became legend and perhaps set a dangerous precedent for how Tiger would approach his body’s limitations.
Just two months after surgery, Woods competed in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Over four grueling days, playing on what was essentially a broken leg, he battled Rocco Mediate in one of the most memorable championships in golf history. Woods prevailed in a playoff, capturing his 14th major championship while hobbling on a severely compromised left leg.
Days after that victory, Woods made a stunning announcement: he would miss the remainder of the 2008 season for reconstructive ACL surgery and to repair a double stress fracture in his left tibia. He had won the U.S. Open on a torn ACL and broken leg. The victory was heroic. In retrospect, it was also a preview of the physical toll Tiger would willingly endure in pursuit of victory.
The Back Problems Begin (2013-2017)
Tiger’s physical problems continued mounting. He withdrew from multiple tournaments in 2010 and 2011 with neck, Achilles, and knee injuries. In March 2011, Woods underwent surgery on both his left knee and Achilles tendon.
If those issues were concerning, what came next was career-threatening. Back problems emerged in 2013, and what started as occasional discomfort evolved into a condition requiring multiple surgeries.
In March 2014, Woods underwent his first back surgery, a microdiscectomy to alleviate a pinched nerve. The significance cannot be overstated: Tiger Woods missed the Masters for the first time in his career. For a player who had won four green jackets and contended in nearly every appearance, missing Augusta National was unthinkable.
The relief proved temporary. In September 2015, Woods underwent a second microdiscectomy. The pattern was troubling: surgical intervention would provide temporary relief, but the underlying problem persisted.
The year 2017 represented the nadir of Tiger Woods’ physical condition. He underwent two more back surgeries that year, including spinal fusion surgery (anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF) in April. Before the procedure, Woods described himself as barely able to walk or play with his children. The chronic pain had become so severe that basic daily activities were nearly impossible.
Spinal fusion is typically considered a career-ending procedure for a professional golfer. The loss of mobility, particularly in rotation, seemed incompatible with the demands of competitive golf at the highest level. Most medical experts and golf professionals believed Tiger’s competitive career was over.
They were wrong.
The Miraculous Comeback: 2018-2019, Including a Masters Victory
Following the 2022 Masters, Tiger made limited appearances. He competed at The Open Championship at St. Andrews in July 2022, withdrew after Round 3 of the Genesis Invitational in February 2023 due to back spasms, and struggled through the 2023 Masters. Woods also underwent surgery for plantar fasciitis in 2023, adding yet another layer of complexity to his physical challenges.
The 2024 and 2025 Setbacks
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Tiger Woods has undergone two back surgeries and one Achilles tendon surgery while also withdrawing from a PGA Tour event due to illness. The frequency and severity of these medical interventions paint a sobering picture of an athlete whose body is breaking down despite his indomitable will.
In September 2024, Woods had a microdecompression procedure on his lumbar spine to address a nerve impingement. This was his sixth back surgery overall.
In March 2025, while training at home, Woods ruptured his left Achilles tendon and underwent successful minimally invasive surgery to repair it. The injury caused him to miss the Masters Tournament. The Achilles rupture was especially concerning because it occurred during routine training, not during competition.
The most recent and perhaps most significant surgery came in October 2025. After experiencing pain and lack of mobility, scans revealed Woods had a collapsed disc in his L4/5, along with disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. He underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery, his seventh back surgery overall.
In a statement, Tiger said:
Tiger Woods: A Medical Journey Through Triumph, Tragedy, and Unwavering Determination
