On the heels of a trying season that saw him fail to seriously contend in major championships and miss five cuts while his world ranking plummeted, Tiger Woods announced Friday evening that he underwent a second microdiscectomy surgery on his back Wednesday.
Woods first underwent this surgery in March of last year, limiting that season to only seven PGA Tour starts.
His latest announcement revealed that he won't play any of his three scheduled tournament starts remaining this year, instead saying that he is hopeful for an "early 2016" return.
"This is certainly disappointing, but I'm a fighter," Woods said. "I've been told I can make a full recovery, and I have no doubt that I will."
Woods said via his personal website that he had felt discomfort in his back and hip in recent weeks, including during his season-ending 10th-place result at the Wyndham Championship last month. The surgery removed a small disk fragment that was pinching a nerve.
The announcement states Woods "will begin intensive rehabilitation and soft tissue treatment within a week. Healing and recovery times differ for each individual based on many physiological factors, but Tiger is encouraged he can return early in 2016."
The surgery was performed in Park City, Utah, by neurosurgeon Charles Rich, who also performed the initial microdiscectomy operation.
Woods, who holds the record for most weeks atop the world ranking at 623, is currently 283rd in those standings.
