- Title: GOLF-MEXICO/TIGER WOODS UPDATE Golfer Tiger Woods expects 'long recovery' period
- Date: 21st October 2015
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (OCTOBER 20, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE TIGER WOODS WALKING IN VARIOUS OF WOODS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TIGER WOODS, SAYING: "I'll start my rehab soon. But again, it's a long and tedious rehab. Last time it took me a very long time to come back. Some players on tour, th
- Embargoed: 5th November 2015 12:00
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- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAA3ACMJ1TT0744UDO5AMNQUIAK
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Golf's former world number one, Tiger Woods, said on Tuesday (October 20) he expected a "long and tedious rehab" after undergoing back surgery and announcing he would be sidelined for the rest of the year.
"I'll start my rehab soon. But again, it's a long and tedious rehab. Last time it took me a very long time to come back. Some players on tour, they've had it done and it has taken - for them to be pain free - over a year. I hope it doesn't take that long for me to be pain free because there's a process," said Woods, while in Mexico City promote the America's Golf Cup, which starts on October 22.
The 14-times major champion, who had a similar procedure on his back in March 2014, hopes to return to competition in early 2016.
As a result of the microdiscectomy surgery, which was performed in Park City, Utah in September, Woods will not be able to compete in the PGA Tour's Oct. 15-18 Frys.com Open as he had initially planned.
Woods underwent "successful back surgery" to remove a small disc fragment that was pinching his nerve.
However, the latest surgery raises further questions as to whether the man who spent a record 683 weeks ranked number one in the world will ever regain his former greatness.
Woods seemed destined to become the most prolific major champion ever when he captured the 2008 U.S. Open, for his 14th major title, but he has not added to the list over the ensuing 30 majors.
His hopes of matching the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus are fading with every passing major, as history shows how difficult it is to win multiple majors once a player gets into his early 40s.
Woods played only 11 official events this year and did not qualify for the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs. He is ranked 283rd in the world. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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