Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’

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Phil Mickelson said he was saddened to hear of Tiger Woods’ latest back surgery, and how many procedures the former World No 1 has had to go through.

Woods announced earlier this week that he underwent surgery to remove a pressurised disc fragment after feeling discomfort during the PNC Championship in December.

It’s the fifth surgery the 15-time major winner has had to undergo on his back, and Mickelson has a lot of sympathy for what Woods has had to go through.

“It’s sad to hear that Tiger had another surgery,” Mickelson said.

“I can’t even think about how many, it’s been dozens, and I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime.

“He and Jack [Nicklaus] are arguably the greatest players of all time, and to not have them playing hurts us all.

“I’m sorry that he’s struggling with his health. There’s nothing worse than not being able to do the thing you love most, which I know for him is to play golf.

“Especially seeing him with his son Charlie being able to play together – that’s time together that’s being taken away as well.

“I hope he heals up and recovers quickly, but it’s sad to see how many of these procedures he’s had to go through over the years.”

Woods recovered from spinal fusion surgery in 2017 – his fourth back surgery – to win a 15th major at the 2019 Masters, but his participation at Augusta National in April has once again been put in doubt after this latest setback.

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