Tiger Woods’ heartfelt message after latest surgery: "Wish I could be there..."

Tiger Woods has taken to social media to express his disappointment at being unable to attend his TGR Jr Invitational and Tiger Woods Invitational at famed Pebble Beach this week.

Woods, 49, has had to remain at home after last week undergoing lumbar disc replacement surgery in his L4/5 Lumbar spine for lower back symptoms on Friday. 

It marked the seventh back surgery of Woods' injury-plagued career. 

Woods confirmed a scan revealed he had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Sheeraz Oureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Surgery was thankfully "deemed successful". 

“The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments, and a compromised spinal canal,” Woods said in a social media post.

“I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.”

The message from Woods' team also read: "On Friday, Tiger underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in his L4/5 Lumbar spine for lower back symptoms.

"The surgery was deemed successful and performed by Dr. Sheeraz Ouershi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York."

Three days later Woods was back on social media to express his disappointment at missing two of his own tournaments: Tiger Woods Invitational and TGR Jr Invitational. 

The Tiger Woods Invitational is hailed as one of the best private golf events in the United States. 

The event welcomes a 54-hole tournament, along with networking and entertainment for guests. 

Meanwhile the TGR Jr Invitational is contested by three age divisions of 10 to 12, 13 to 15, and 16 to 18, with both boys and girls competing. 

The TGR Jr Invitational took place from 11-13 October, while the Tiger Woods Invitational got underway today and it concludes on Thursday. 

Woods wrote on social media Tuesday:

"Wish I could be at Pebble Beach this week for the TGR JR Invitational and Tiger Woods Invitational. I want to thank our presenting partners, @TaylorMadeGolf and USLI. To the 60 junior golfers - keep pushing yourselves on and off the course. And to our TWI guests, thank you for continued support of the event and the @TGRFound."

No timeframe has been put on Woods' return to the PGA Tour. 

Woods had already been recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon from March. 

The 15-time major champion last played in a Tour event at The Open at Royal Troon in July 2024. 

His last competitive tournament was playing alongside his son Charlie Woods just before Christmas in December 2024.

Woods has therefore not played in a single tournament all season.

Woods turns 50 years old on 30 December.

He will therefore be eligible to play on the PGA Tour Champions should he wish or be able to in 2026. 

Woods' annual Hero World Challenge takes place at Albany in The Bahamas from 4-7 December. 

The former World No.1 revealed his field for that tournament last week. 

It remains to be seen whether Woods will be able to play in the PNC Championship with his son Charlie from 20-21 December.

But given his latest surgery setback, it looks highly doubtful we will see Woods in action again until 2026 now.