For over two decades, their battles defined an era. Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods traded major championships, heated words, and icy stares across fairways from Augusta to Pebble Beach. The world watched as these two titans transformed golf, rarely exchanging pleasantries beyond forced handshakes. But Saturday morning, when Tiger announced his seventh back surgery—a lumbar disc replacement at L4/L5 performed Friday at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery, it brought a different kind of moment.

Phil’s response to the news on X cut through decades of competitive animosity with remarkable simplicity.  “I’m sorry to hear this and I wish him the best for a speedy recovery,” Lefty wrote, reposting Woods’ health update to his 2.1 million followers.

No grandstanding. No qualifiers. Just genuine concern for a man who’s spent his career as Phil’s greatest obstacle and, paradoxically, his biggest career benefactor. The gesture speaks volumes about a character that transcends competition. This wasn’t Phil’s first time showing up for Tiger during a crisis.

Their relationship transformed dramatically over the years. What started as icy tension eventually evolved into mutual respect, particularly after they worked together on the 2016 Ryder Cup Task Force. Phil opened up about this shift in 2018, admitting something that surprised even him.

“I texted him a while ago when he was playing at Valspar that it felt like it was a different time continuum because I found myself pulling so hard for him. It was unusual,” Mickelson confessed.

That wasn’t just talk. When Tiger’s life hung in the balance after his February 2021 car crash, Phil immediately posted his support on Twitter.

“We are all pulling for you, Tiger. We are so sorry that you and your family are going through this tough time. Everyone hopes and prays for your full and speedy recovery,” he wrote. Speaking to reporters shortly after, Phil emphasized what really mattered. He praised Rory McIlroy’s perspective that everyone was grateful that Tiger’s kids didn’t lose their father.

The support runs even deeper into their history. Back in 2014, when Tiger missed the Masters due to his first back surgery, Phil publicly acknowledged the void.

“It’s a weird feeling not having him here, isn’t it? He’s been such a mainstay in professional golf and the majors. It’s awkward not to have him here. I hope he gets back soon,” Mickelson stated. He admitted that victories feel more special when Tiger’s in the field competing.

Phil even defended Tiger during his 2015 struggles. When critics questioned Woods’ short game, Mickelson pushed back hard. “I think that Tiger’s going to have the last laugh. I think that his short game, historically, is one of the best of all time. I think his golf game is probably the best of all time,” he declared.

The respect flows both ways. Tiger returned the favor during Phil’s darkest hour.

When Phil’s wife Amy and mother Mary both battled breast cancer in 2009, Tiger expressed genuine empathy. “I couldn’t imagine dealing with what he has to on a daily basis. Hats off to how he has handled it because it’s hard,” Woods said at the time. He spoke warmly of Amy, calling her a sweetheart and recalling the priceless table tennis matches between the two families.

Their evolved friendship culminated in charitable partnerships. They raised $20 million for COVID-19 relief through “The Match: Champions for Charity” in May 2020. Phil summed up their relationship perfectly in 2018: “I think that nobody respects and appreciates what he’s done for the game more because nobody’s benefited from what he’s done for the game of golf more than I have.”

Tiger Woods’s mounting surgical challenges

Tiger’s latest procedure addresses severe issues. Medical scans revealed a collapsed disc in the L4/L5 region, disc fragments, and a compromised spinal canal. “After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with doctors and surgeons to have tests taken,” Woods explained in his X announcement. He opted for disc replacement surgery, expressing confidence about the decision for his health.

Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi performed the successful procedure. The Co-Chief of HSS Spine specializes in minimally invasive and motion-sparing spine surgery. This marks Tiger’s second surgery with Dr. Qureshi in just over a year, following a microdecompression procedure in September 2024.

The numbers tell a sobering story. Tiger has undergone 14 surgeries total since 1994. Seven targeted his back alone. He suffered an Achilles tendon repair just this past March. His competitive appearances have dwindled to only 11 starts since his devastating 2021 car crash. The 49-year-old hasn’t competed in any PGA Tour events during 2025.

No timeline exists for his return to competitive golf. Despite amassing 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories throughout his legendary career, Tiger’s future on the course remains uncertain. His most remarkable comeback followed his 2017 spinal fusion surgery, culminating in his triumphant 2019 Masters victory—his first major in 11 years.

As Tiger faces another uncertain recovery, he knows his greatest rival stands firmly in his corner. Their decades-long rivalry may have sold tickets and captivated audiences, but their mutual respect during health crises reveals what golf fans have come to appreciate most about both legends.