The 2021 car accident was the most brutal one that left Tiger Woods with many injuries. After this one particular incident, the 48-year-old pro’s career was practically on a halt. Since then, Woods has undergone many surgeries to return to golf as he has always been. However, that part has been difficult, to say the least. Following his injuries, Woods always wore a leg sleeve to hide the scar and support his right leg. In July, though, the 82-time PGA Tour winner was spotted without one as he accompanied his son, Charlie Woods, at the US Junior Amateur.

It was expected that at least for now, Woods wouldn’t undergo another procedure. However, in September the 15-time major winner went through microdiscectomy, his sixth back surgery in the past decade. And it seems he has been recovering off the course as he missed the annual TW Invitational and TGR Jr. Invitational in October. Nonetheless, Woods was seen once again with Charlie Woods as the 15-year-old golfer competed at the Florida state championships.

This time, Woods had the leg sleeves again and the fans noticed that he was looking thinner and a bit pale. But, has he recovered enough to play the PNC Championship and the Hero World Challenge? The recovery period after microdiscectomy is usually 12 weeks and it has been only 11 weeks since Woods’s surgery. But seeing Woods’s condition, and accounting that his body has gone through way more than just one procedure, it may take more time for the 48-year-old to recover. Thus, it may not be feasible for the 15-time major winner to compete in both events.

Woods played the Hero World Challenge for the first time since his accident in 2023. On the other hand, he has not missed a single edition of the PNC Championship. But as other pairs have confirmed their seats at the event and the PGA Tour star still has not, it is possible that he may not play the event this year. There are at least three weeks for the Hero World Challenge to start and nearly a month for the PNC Championship. Who knows, the 5-time Masters winner may change his plans and tee up at both tournaments.

What may happen if Tiger Woods decides to play both events?

Last year, Tiger Woods did exactly that, he played the Hero World Challenge and finished 18th in the 20 pro field and after two weeks teed up at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. He took a break from golf and then participated in the Genesis Invitational in February where his body was following as he would have expected. If Woods takes the risk to play two events, he may injure his back more.

How so? The subtalar joint in Woods’s right ankle has to be fused because of his accident and although it isn’t responsible for up & down movement, that joint allows the side-to-side movement. Since the 48-year-old has lost that ability in his ankle, the brunt of this pressure comes to his hips and subsequently, to his back as Robert Forster, Santa Monica-based physical therapist noted.

He underwent the microdecompression because of the pinched nerves, if he continues to have an active schedule throughout the year, this may become an issue for his back again. As Woods expressed last year, “I’m always sore. There’s nothing new there!” Hopefully, he will recover soon and play more events.