Tiger goes under the knife again
There is yet more Tiger Woods injury news as the 15-time major champion added another operation to an ever-increasing list of surgeries when going under the knife to repair his left knee.
The Masters champion revealed he’d had an “arthroscopic procedure” last week to fix minor cartilage damage.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 27, 2019
An arthoscopy is described by the NHS website as a type of keyhole surgery that is normally used to diagnose and treat problems with joints – including damaged cartilage or loose cartilage fragments.
It’s commonly carried out on the knees and is considered advantageous because it has a faster healing time and a lower risk of infection.
Tiger underwent a similar surgery in 2008 after finishing 2nd at the Masters.
It is the same left knee that required reconstructive surgery after he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, in 2007, and suffered a stress fracture in his tibia before his famous 2008 US Open victory at Torrey Pines.
This latest procedure, and that to repair his damaged ACL 11 years ago, was carried out by Dr Vern Cooley, a Utah knee specialist. He expects Tiger to make a full recovery.
Woods has committed to playing in the inaugural Zozo Championship, in Japan, in October on the PGA Tour as he builds up to hosting the Hero World Challenge at the end of November – a week before captaining the US team at the Presidents Cup.
He said: “I would like to thank Dr. Cooley and his team. I’m walking now and hope to resume practice in the next few weeks. I look forward to travelling and playing in Japan in October.”
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
