Wed Jun 18 12:26:27 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Woods to miss rest of season

---

Orlando, FL. (Sports Network) - Tiger Woods has decided to undergo season- ending reconstructive left knee surgery.

The Golf Channel first reported that Woods needed ACL surgery to get back to 100 percent and he confirmed the news on his Web site.

"I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at the appropriate time," Woods said "I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the U.S. Open. Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

In addition to the knee surgery, Woods also revealed he will require the time off to rehabilitate a double stress fracture of his left tibia that was discovered prior to the Memorial Tournament last month. The stress fractures were attributed to Woods' rehabilitation and preparations for the U.S. Open.

Doctors have assured Woods that the stress fractures will heal with time.

Woods beat Rocco Mediate on the 91st hole of the U.S. Open on Monday, ending an instant-classic major championship with a par at the 19th hole of a playoff.

The world's No. 1 player made a birdie to send the scheduled 18-hole playoff into sudden-death, then needed only a routine par at the next hole after Mediate bounced a bunker shot off the cart path and against the bleachers.

It brought to an end one of the longest U.S. Opens in history and gave Woods his 14th major championship, second all-time to Jack Nicklaus, who has 18.