Tiger Woods undergoes 4th back surgery; expected to miss balance of 2017 season

Tiger Woods has had another back surgery, this time to alleviate pain in his back and leg, he announced on his web site Thursday.

“The surgery went well, and I’m optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain,” Woods said in a statement. “When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long.”

After three surgeries, a disc in Woods’ lower back severely narrowed, causing  sciatica and severe back and leg pain. During the recent surgery, the damaged disc was removed and the collapsed disc space was elevated to normal levels. The goal is to relieve the pressure on the nerve, a statement on Woods’ web site said.

Woods will be resting for several weeks before beginning therapy. The recovery period is typically about six months.

The operation was performed by Dr. Richard Guyer of the Center for Disc Replacement at the Texas Back Institute.

Woods, 41,  hasn’t played tournament golf since the Dubai Desert Classic in February, where he shot an opening-round, birdie-free 77.

He skipped the Masters, saying at the time he didn’t have a timetable for his return.

On Tuesday he was in Hollister, Mo. in the Ozarks, where he announced he’s designing his first public golf course.  The course will be called Payne’s Valley in honor of Missouri native Payne Stewart. Woods is a partner on the project with Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris.