Why Tiger Woods's Latest Back Surgery Is Different

Woods announced last week that he had his seventh back procedure. Bob Harig joins the Dan's Golf World Show to discuss the surgery and what it means for Woods.

Bob Harig, Dan Evans | Oct 16, 2025

Bob Harig talks Tiger Woods on the new Dan's Golf World Show. / Dan's Golf World Show

Tiger Woods’ road back to competitive golf has hit another setback. As he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles, news broke that the 15-time major champion had his seventh back surgery, a development that once again clouds his timeline for return.

To help unpack what this means for Woods's career, Sports Illustrated Senior Golf Writer Bob Harig joined the Dan’s Golf World Show to offer insight into the surgery, recovery expectations and Woods's long-term outlook.

Harig explained that this most recent procedure, a disc replacement, is unlike Tiger’s previous back operations, including his 2017 spinal fusion and multiple microdiscectomies.

“The best way to describe it is, a [microdiscectomy] is a Band-Aid to deal with a disc issue,” Harig said. “With the [disc replacement], you’ve addressed it, you’ve replaced it.”

While more invasive than his earlier procedures, Harig noted that this surgery isn’t as serious as the 2017 fusion that sidelined Woods for more than a year.

“My understanding is this is about a three-month recovery,” Harig said. “My guess is that by early January he’s cleared to start doing more activity.”

That’s encouraging news for golf fans, but Harig warns that expectations should remain realistic. Woods hasn’t played meaningful competitive golf in 18 months, and his path back to elite form is uncertain.

“Are you going to beat Scottie Scheffler without having hit chip shots, bunker shots, pitch shots or three to four-footers?” Harig asked. “He only played 11 rounds of golf last year. That’s where the Champions Tour could come in, 54 holes and golf carts.”

When could Tiger realistically return? Could the Masters be on the table? And would he play on the Champions Tour?

Bob Harig breaks it all down, the surgery, the recovery timeline, and the reality of a comeback on The Dan’s Golf World Show.

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Published Oct 16, 2025

BOB HARIG

Bob Harig is a senior writer covering golf for Sports Illustrated. He has more than 25 years experience on the beat, including 15 at ESPN. Harig is a regular guest on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio and has written two books, "DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods" and "Tiger and Phil: Golf's Most Fascinating Rivalry." He graduated from Indiana University where he earned an Evans Scholarship, named in honor of the great amateur golfer Charles (Chick) Evans Jr. Harig, a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America, lives in Clearwater, Fla.

DAN EVANS

Dan Evans, a powerhouse golf content creator on Instagram and TikTok, boasts a rich and diverse background that fuels his current success. Known for his inspiring weight loss journey on The Biggest Loser, successful career as a top ten recording artist, national spokesperson and event host for the Biggest Loser RunWalk 5k and half marathon race series, and his love for cooking, which led him to earn a culinary degree and create and host his own cooking show, Dan has rapidly emerged as a beloved figure in the golf community. Harnessing his diverse background and experiences, he has channeled his passion for golf into compelling content that reaches millions. With over 100 million views, his unique and engaging personality, coupled with his exceptional storytelling style, resonates with golf fans worldwide. As Dan continues to captivate and connect with a growing audience on a weekly basis, he solidifies his place as an influential figure within the golf community and beyond, proving that his love for the sport knows no bounds.