Tour News

Update on Tiger Woods’ recovery, return prospects

Published

11 years ago

Oct 7, 2015

“Deeply sorry” that he can’t compete, Tiger Woods still plans to travel to Mexico City for the October 22-25 Bridgestone America’s Golf Cup.

The former World No. 1 is slated to meet with government officials and conduct a clinic with Matt Kuchar, who was to be his partner in the 72-hole best-ball competition. However, as a release on Woods’ website states, “Kuchar will do the heavy lifting, as Tiger cannot swing a golf club yet.”

Woods is recovering from a second microdiscectomy operation in as many years, as he went under the knife Sept. 16 in Utah. Woods’ previous back surgery, just ahead of the Masters 2014, yielded a three-month recovery time, for what it’s worth. And we likely all agree due to the issues with weakness and instability in the region in his post-surgery starts, he came back to soon.

Thus, it’s not surprising that in the wake of a surgery that has an average recovery time of 4 ½ months, Woods won’t be swinging a golf club less than a month-and-a-half from the date of his surgery.

The golfer is (apparently) a big proponent of golf in Latin America, according to another portion of the release:

“Woods is a strong supporter of the tournament, which is striving to promote golf in Latin America, and is very appreciative of the support and understanding he has received from all involved. He has already committed to play in the event in 2016, 2017 and 2018.”

Looking ahead to 2016, the Farmers Insurance Open is the week of Jan. 25, a little more than four months from the date of his surgery. Considering that Woods has won eight times at the California track, you’d imagine that’s the return date he’s shooting for.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

14 Comments

other paul

Oct 11, 2015 at 7:25 pm

Somebody that knows Tiger should hurry up and tell him about Kelvin because his back pain will keep returning if he doesn’t change properly.

Reply Report comment
farmer

Oct 7, 2015 at 4:00 pm

If 4-5 months is about the earliest return date, why not wait 6 months or 8? Let it get completely healed and stabilized, then try for a US Open return. Tiger has dynastic money, an unapproachable resume’, why hurry?

Reply Report comment
- Ant
  
  Oct 13, 2015 at 9:57 am
  
  Why comeback at all? Retire, same for Phil! But than again, when you get 6 mill for an appearance fee…
  
  Reply Report comment
Greg V

Oct 7, 2015 at 3:50 pm

As Bobby Lipscomb commented, who cares?

Reply Report comment
- Clearly
  
  Oct 7, 2015 at 4:29 pm
  
  Clearly you do, or you a.) wouldn’t have read the story and b.) wouldn’t have wasted your time commenting.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - prime21
    
    Oct 7, 2015 at 9:59 pm
    
    +1
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Gary Gutful
    
    Oct 8, 2015 at 4:19 pm
    
    +2
    
    Stop being too cool for school Greg V and Lipscomb. Of course you are interested!
    
    Reply Report comment
Seamus McEnery

Oct 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm

Paul, I had back surgery and couldn’t play golf. I took up Yoga and I was back playing in no time without any pain or stiffness afterward. What’s surprising is I believe the world famous yoga expert Tiffany Cruikshank works with many Nike athletes. With the twisting of the golf swing and the realignment that Yoga gives it makes a perfect antidote to the imbalances of swinging a golf club. You can only advise. Guys got to walk the walk to really ever understand the benefits of yoga for golf.

Reply Report comment
Bobby Lipscomb

Oct 7, 2015 at 1:46 pm

Stop talking about Tiger Woods and start talking about all those young guns out there He is DONE

Reply Report comment
- prime21
  
  Oct 7, 2015 at 10:11 pm
  
  They would if they were worth talking about. NOBODY is worth more to golf nor the PGA Tour than Tiger, period. Even when he can’t hit it, he is STILL the guy everyone wants to see, talk about, and pull for to make an incredible comeback, simply because EACH time someone said, “he can’t…”, he did, and it will happen again. So stock up on your tissues & Jergens and enjoy watching your “young guns”, cause there are more people interested in Tiger making a comeback, than joining you, Greg V & the rest of your buddies in your man cave. Check the ratings, they’ll tell you the same thing.
  
  Reply Report comment
Paul Kennedy

Oct 7, 2015 at 11:48 am

Dude needs to stop the lifting crap, yoga is the answer for back problems, saved me and countless others.

Reply Report comment
MH

Oct 7, 2015 at 11:13 am

A great spokesperson for Nike, he’ll be using the 716 MBs next year.

a joke, a joke, just a joke dude

Reply Report comment
- prime21
  
  Oct 7, 2015 at 10:00 pm
  
  Maybe I’m just slow, but where exactly is the joke there? Good one bro, keep crushin it!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Gary Gutful
  
  Oct 8, 2015 at 4:20 pm
  
  Is that the sound of chirping crickets?
  
  Reply Report comment

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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.