Tiger Woods' Comeback Halted After More Back Pains

Woods will miss next week's Genesis Open and the following week's Honda Classic after ongoing back spasms

Tiger Woods' Comeback Halted After More Back Pains
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The 14-time major winner was meant to play the next two weeks on the PGA Tour but has pulled out with ongoing back spasms

Tiger Woods' Comeback Halted After More Back Pains

Tiger Woods has pulled out of next week's Genesis Open as well as the Honda Classic the following week.

The 14-time major winner pulled out of last week's Dubai Desert Classic after suffering back spasms before his second round.

Woods is said to have experienced ongoing back spasms similar to those he felt last week.

Related: Tiger Woods What's in the Bag?

In a statement on his website, he said:

"My doctors have advised me not to play the next two weeks, to continue my treatment and to let my back calm down.

Tiger Woods' Comeback Halted After More Back Pains

"This is not what I was hoping for or expecting. I am extremely disappointed to miss the Genesis Open, a tournament that benefits my foundation, and The Honda Classic, my hometown event.

"I would like to thank Genesis for their support, and I know we will have an outstanding week."

Tiger Woods driver swing sequence

Woods played his first PGA Tour event since August 2015 at the Farmers Insurance Open two weeks ago where he missed the cut.

He then shot a five-over-par 77 in the opening round of the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club the following week, which was his last round to date.

Woods seen leaving Emirates Golf Club

The 40-year-old was hoping to get his game and health in shape for the year's first major at The Masters in April, but that is now in doubt.

Woods' statement read, 'His possible playing schedule after Honda will be determined at a later date after his back is reassessed.'

Woods had two back surgeries after the Wyndham Classic in August 2015 and last week his agent Mark Steinberg told the media his spasms were unrelated to his surgeries.

"He says it's not the nerve pain that's kept him out for so long. He says it's a back spasm and he just can't get the spasm to calm down. So that's where we are.

Let us know on our social media channels when you think Tiger Woods will return.

TOPICS
Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV