For years, it has been clear that Tiger Woods will never play like he once did. Now, the question is: Will he be able to play at all?
The 14-time major winner currently has no foreseeable return date after undergoing multiple back surgeries in the fall and his physical condition has worsened, according to golf writer Robert Lusetich. The report said Woods “can’t move well” and experiences pain sitting, forcing him to fully recline when in his car.
Woods, 40, had a microdiscectomy on his back last year. Lusetich reported the operation has a success rate of 90 to 95 percent, calling the former star’s current condition “unlucky.”
Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg angrily denied the accuracy of reports on Woods’ health — Lusetich’s update echoed a previous account from the Twitter handle @secrettourpro — in a statement Monday.
“The tweets that appeared this weekend about Tiger’s health are ridiculous and absolutely false,” Steinberg said. “It’s reprehensible that every few months someone makes something up and it’s treated like a real story. Tiger continues to work on his rehabilitation and we will have an accurate update at the appropriate time.”
Until that update, speculation will surround the oft-injured golfer who held the sport’s spotlight for more than a decade and whose declining play has coincided with a myriad of injuries. Woods also underwent surgery for a pinched nerve in his back in 2014 and has dealt with multiple major knee injuries in recent years.
Since winning the 2008 US Open, the longtime No. 1 player in the world hasn’t claimed a Grand Slam event, leaving Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors secure. Woods, who has won 79 tournaments in his career, most recently finished first at the Bridgestone Invitational in August 2013 and most recently appeared in any tournament in August 2015.