Woods undergoes back surgery to 'alleviate pain'

Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods has had further surgery on his back after an injury-hit season.

A statement on X said Woods "underwent microdepression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back" on Friday morning and the surgery in Florida was "deemed to be successful" by the surgeon.

The American, 48, who last played at The Open in Troon in July where he missed the cut, said he hoped it would "alleviate back spasms and pain" he experienced this year.

Woods has undergone various back surgeries in the last decade and a limited schedule since suffering a serious leg injury in a car crash in 2021.

"The surgery went smoothly and I'm hopeful it will alleviate the back spasms and the pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season," he said.

"I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf."

Woods has played at the four majors this year, missing the cut at three and finishing 60th at the Masters, and withdrew during the second round of the Genesis Invitational in February with flu-like symptoms.