[Golf Topic] Woods "5th Back Surgery"..."Hiatus Until February"

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…The 'resurrected golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA, photo) has been sidelined by a back injury.

On the 20th (Korean time), he announced on his social media (SNS) that he recently underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve back pain. This is his fifth back surgery. He said, "I felt discomfort in my back during the PNC Championship last December," and added, "The surgery was successful, and I will soon start rehabilitation and work hard to return to the tour." Due to the back surgery, he will be unable to participate in tournaments at least until February.

It is expected to be difficult for him to participate in the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open at the end of this month and the Genesis Invitational in February. Woods first underwent back surgery in March 2014, followed by surgeries in September and October 2015, and April 2017 due to back pain. After the last surgery, he returned to the field about seven months later. Locally, it is also anticipated that his participation in the April 'Masters Tournament' will be uncertain.