The answer to the question "when Tiger Woods will play again?" appears murkier on Monday after a report claiming the condition of Woods' back after a pair of fall surgeries has worsened.
Golf journalist Robert Lusetich tweeted Monday that a source tells him Woods has very limited mobility.
I'm told #TigerWoods condition worsened. He can't move well; painful to sit. Sits in car with seat fully reclined. No forseeable return. Sad
— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) February 22, 2016
About 90-95% of microdiscectomies - like #Tiger had - are successful.
He got unlucky.
Not to say career's over, but no imminent return.
— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) February 22, 2016
Woods underwent a second microdiscectomy in September 2015 in the same area of his back where he had the procedure first done in March 2014. Woods rushed back to compete in the 2014 Quicken Loans National, a move he admitted was motivated by the politics of his tournament. He fared poorly, fired then instructor Sean Foley and ultimately found a new swing instructor in Chris Como. The struggles continued in 2015, as Woods shot his career-worst round twice on the PGA Tour, including an 85 at the Memorial Tournament. He ended the season on a high note, with a T-10 finish at the Wyndham Championship in a last-ditch effort to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs. It was his best finish of the year.
However, in Greensboro, N.C., that week, Woods complained of hip pain. After his season ended, Woods went to visit his surgeon in Utah and learned the source of the pain was again his back. He chose to have surgery rather than try rehab first. A month later, Woods went under the knife again for a clean-up procedure.
At the Hero World Challenge in December, Woods seemed morose about his future and said he had no timetable for his return. He described limited functionality that mostly included short bursts of walking and laying down on his couch. He hadn't formally started rehab then.
Woods, however, has been spotted at his children's soccer games and was at a clinic with Michelle Wie since the Hero in December. That would seem to suggest some improvement.
It's unclear how much closer Woods is to whatever level of functionality he could consider a recovery.
