Tour News

Steve Stricker undergoes back surgery

Published

11 years ago

Dec 24, 2014

Steve Stricker had surgery on Tuesday for a bulging disc in his lower back to alleviate pain and recurring issues with his hip. The surgery would reportedly “relieve issues stemming from acute and chronic L5 radiculopathy.”

His brother-in-law and agent, Mario Tiziani, said the one-hour surgery at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison was successful, and that Stricker will be away from golf for at least eight weeks.

“I’ve been limited the last several years and I’m confident the procedure will allow me to perform at the level I expect from myself,” Stricker said in a statement. “I don’t have a target date for a return to the PGA Tour at this point, that will very much depend on how my body responds to the surgery and rehab.”

The 47-year old has reduced himself to a limited PGA Tour schedule in the past few years — playing only 12 official events in 2014. He missed nearly three months of competition following the 2014 PGA Championship due to hip and quad problems stemming from the bulging disc, before making his return at the Hero World Challenge and the Franklin Templeton Shootout in December, where he finished 14th and T8, respectively.

The 12-time PGA Tour winner is currently ranked No. 41 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

8 Comments

James

Dec 26, 2014 at 3:49 pm

Pat, this is James here and I’m
just catching up on your comment

“I can bench press 405 and ss is 120mph can you claim
the same with your yoga?”.

Sam Snead lasted a lifetime playing golf and was renowned for his flexibility – same with Gary Player, Langer & Watson. The Tiger Woods/ Navy Seal, finished at 38 years route you are on is in my opinion too much and totally uneasary for playing golf. You tube the pigeon pose it will make a difference. You can still lift 405 along with the hip flexibility now that would really be something. Happy Christmas.

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Todd Turner

Dec 25, 2014 at 10:35 am

Get well….. Teach TW some short game skills!

Reply Report comment
- Pat
  
  Dec 25, 2014 at 9:26 pm
  
  You meant to say….teach TW some manners and humbleness. Steve is way too classy to be associated with Tiger. I can’t see how they are friends. Mind boggling.
  
  Reply Report comment
James

Dec 25, 2014 at 3:58 am

I am 40 and have had 3 slipped L 5/4 discs and ended up getting surgery. Over the Winter I took up yoga and got fit enough after 6 weeks to be able to do the pigeon pose. It’s freed up my pelvis/ hip/ L4/5 like nothing else. I am back playing competitive golf and no issues. I recommend all golfers should take up yoga and stay out of the gym – try the PIGEON POSE Steve, Tiger, Brandt etc etc.

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- Pat
  
  Dec 25, 2014 at 9:24 pm
  
  Screw yoga. You need to strengthen your core with resistance training. That’s what I did and my back feels a lot better. I can deadlift 405 and my ss is over 120 mph. Can you claim the same with your yoga? Didn’t think so.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Andy B
    
    Dec 26, 2014 at 10:28 am
    
    Are you serious? Golf is not a game of strength. Look at the longest player on tour, Bubba Watson, his arms look like spaghetti. Core strength is important, but it does not trump flexibility. Golfers don’t need to deadlift 405 to be good or protect their back. I’m sure your 120 mph swing speed and deadliest max has you playing to a plus 3 handicap and about to join the PGA Tour. Tiger has just about proved that golfers and serious weightlifting don’t mix. Ever since he has gotten big and muscular he has battled injuries. Ironically, when he was thin and had a faster swing speed he didn’t have as many problems. Bottom line is, yes weightlifting is important, but disregarding yoga and claiming some great deadlift max will help is going to far. Besides, 405 is not that impressive for someone who works out consistently. Not bad, but not worth bragging and putting down yoga.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - other paul
      
      Dec 26, 2014 at 12:47 pm
      
      I would certainly give yoga a shot. I play virtual golf cause its cold here, and the other day I decided to warm up in a hot tub and stretch and then go play. What a difference! I gained 30 yards off the tee and didn’t know where to aim. My 7i went from 160 carry to 185. I am going to try flexibility before weight lifting.
      
      Reply Report comment
Pat

Dec 24, 2014 at 6:10 pm

Good luck to Steve in his recovery. I have herniated disks in my back and know what he is going through. Hopefully the surgery was done correctly that way he can still be successful on tour. Best wishes to you and your family.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.