Last week, Tiger Woods quietly revealed he underwent surgery for a collapsed disc — another entry in his long medical history. Another surgery, another statement, another comeback hope. But this time feels different. Many wonder if this could be the end of the legend’s journey.

“I honestly can’t see a way out for him,” said Gavin Routledge, a respected osteopath based in Scotland with over 30 years of experience dealing with spinal issues. “We have known for decades that once you have one disc surgery, then the chances of having another are substantially higher, especially if you use the fusion technique like Tiger. It’s a domino effect,” Routledge continued to tell Golfweek.

Last week, Woods revealed he had undergone lumbar disc replacement surgery in his L4/5 vertebrae to address persistent back pain and limited mobility. “The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments, and a compromised spinal canal,” he wrote. “I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back.” Woods seemed optimistic that he could bounce back soon, but the rest, including experts? Not at all convinced.

The domino effect that Routledge was talking about goes back to 2017, when Woods underwent an L5/S1 fusion surgery — a move that resurrected his career and gave us that unforgettable 2019 Masters win.

But according to senior Golf Digest writer Jaime Diaz, that procedure came with a hidden cost. “That was always going to be a problem after he had the fusion because that’s where all the tension goes now,” Diaz told Golf Central.

While Jaime Diaz is optimistic and has hope, stating that Woods “could have years of golf left if he can play pain-free,” others like Routledge aren’t convinced.

And we understand why. This is Tiger Woods’ seventh back surgery! Not one, not two, but he has had seven, and many others on the rest of his body. In fact, this was his second surgery this year, as he had undergone surgery on his Achilles Tendon earlier in March.

The recovery timeline after that surgery was estimated to be around 6-9 months, and we did see Woods play at the Nexus Cup last month. But after his back disc replacement surgery last week, the recovery all depends largely on the patient’s rehabilitation and care.

There’s no estimate of how long it may take, which means the growing anticipation of Tiger Woods’ return to playing competitively now hangs in limbo. It means Woods may miss out on multiple events lined up for him in the coming few months.

Tiger Woods’s next appearances now remain doubtful

As Tiger Woods approaches his 50th birthday in December, many believed that the next chapter would have been a debut on the PGA Tour Champions, golf’s senior circuit. Ernie Els even publicly challenged Woods to come join the tour — “Beat us again… if you can.” Els added that having Woods join the over-50 tour would be good for him and the game, encouraging his old rival to come out and compete with his peers.

But for now, Tiger Woods’s immediate playing schedule looks uncertain. He was expected to tee it up at the 2025 Hero World Golf Challenge in the Bahamas this December, a tournament he hosts, but following his latest surgery, that seems highly unlikely. It’s déjà vu, as Woods also had to withdraw from the same event last year while recovering from a previous back surgery.

Then there’s also the second season of TGL, his high-tech team golf league, set to begin later that month, where he’s set to lead Jupiter Links GC. Whether he’ll be physically ready to participate remains uncertain. While he may not be physically fit to participate in any of the events scheduled for him, Woods will now have ample time to focus on the Future Competition Committee, which he was recently appointed head of by CEO Brian Rolapp.

It’s a role that ensures his influence on the game continues, even if his presence on the leaderboard fades. One way or another, Tiger Woods is still shaping the future of golf, but just not in the way fans had always imagined.