Tiger Woods has second back surgery, gone still 2016

Tiger Woods had back surgery Wednesday and won’t play again in 2015.

“This is certainly disappointing, but I’m a fighter,” Woods said Friday on his website. “I've been told I can make a full recovery, and I have no doubt that I will."

The microdiscectomy surgery was performed in Park City, Utah, by neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Rich, who also performed the initial operation to Woods’ back March 31, 2014. He missed three months after that surgery.

“With the upcoming offseason, the decision was made to remove a small disc fragment that was pinching his nerve,” Rich said. “The microsurgery was a complete success, and he was discharged Thursday night.”

Woods played just 11 events this year and had one top-10 finish. He hasn’t won since 2013 and is ranked No. 283. He will not play in the Frys.com Open, which is the 2015-16 season opener for the PGA Tour. He also will miss the Bridgestone America’s Golf Cup presented by Value in Mexico City and the Hero World Challenge at Albany in the Bahamas.

Woods felt some discomfort in the back and hip area the last several weeks of his season this year. He will begin rehabilitation and soft tissue treatment within a week.

“This is unfortunate, but these things happen,” Woods said. “I've been injured before and played again. It won't be any different this time.”