###Doctors assure Woods that long-term prognosis is very good with rehabilitation and training
Just days after winning the 2008 U.S. Open in a dramatic sudden-death playoff, Tiger Woods announced that he will be forced to undergo reconstructive Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery on his left knee and will miss the remainder of the PGA TOUR season.
In addition to the knee surgery, Woods will require the time off to rehabilitate a double stress fracture of his left tibia that was discovered last month just prior to the Memorial Tournament. The stress fractures were attributed to Woods' intense rehabilitation and preparations for the U.S. Open. Doctors have assured Woods that the stress fractures will heal with time.
"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 an appropriate time. 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," said Woods. "Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."
A date for the knee surgery, as well as the necessary rehabilitation schedule, has not yet been determined.
"While I am obviously disappointed to have to miss the remainder of the season, I have to do the right thing for my long-term health and look forward to returning to competitive golf when my doctors agree that my knee is sufficiently healthy," said Woods. "My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects."
Woods originally ruptured the ACL in 2007 following The Open Championship when he was running at his home in Orlando. At that point, he elected to not have surgery, and instead attempted to play through the pain. Following the injury, Woods went on to win five of the next six events he entered, including the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, the PGA Championship, the BMW Championship, the TOUR Championship and the Target World Challenge, while also finishing second at the Deutsche Bank Championship. He carried that streak over into 2008, winning his first four events of the year, the Buick Invitational, the Dubai Desert Classic, WGC-Accenture Match Play and the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
In the fall of 2007, Woods decided to forego a number of playing opportunities to allow the knee time to heal in preparation for the 2008 season. He still experienced pain early in 2008, however, and in an effort to allow him to play through the remainder of the season, elected to have arthroscopic surgery immediately following the Masters to clean out cartilage damage. The cartilage damage in fact developed as a result of the ACL injury, and Woods' hope was that the arthroscopic surgery would get him through the remainder of the season and allow him to delay the ACL surgery until after the season.
"My rehabilitation schedule after the arthroscopic surgery was designed with the goal of returning to play at the Memorial, but the stress fractures that were discovered just prior to the tournament unfortunately prevented me from participating and had a huge impact on the timing for my return," said Woods. "I was determined though, to do everything and anything in my power to play in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, which is a course that is close to where I grew up and holds many special memories for me. Although I will miss the rest of the 2008 season, I'm thrilled with the fact that last week was such a special tournament."
Tiger Woods, ranked number one in the world on the Official World Golf Ranking and leading the 2008 PGA Tour Money Leaders list, has 65 PGA TOUR victories to his credit, including 14 major championships, ranking him third all-time in wins, just eight behind Jack Nicklaus and 17 behind the all-time leader Sam Snead. This past week, Woods also celebrated his 500th week as the number one ranked player in the world, a position he first attained eleven years ago on June 15, 1997.
"I would like to thank my fans and partners for their continual support and can assure everyone that I will be as dedicated to rehabilitating my knee as I am in all other aspects of my career," said Woods
Updates on Woods' surgical and rehabilitation timelines will be provided at a later date once a schedule has been finalized.
Tiger Woods said:
July 3, 2008
I had hoped to be at Congressional Country Club on Wednesday to participate in the opening ceremony at the AT&T National. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend because of my recent knee surgery, but the week got off to a great start when the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles landed on the first tee to deliver golf balls from around the world. They'd already been hit by soldiers in Germany, Japan, The United Kingdom, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The balls were delivered by the Screaming Eagles to Fred Couples and 25 kids whose parents are actively serving in the military. Two of the children, Maggie Rollins and Jeff Dahl hit the first shot with Freddie. Jeff's father is a member of the Army Special Forces, and Maggie's father just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. Fred didn't hesitate to step in and help out in my place and hit the first shot with the kids. Thanks to Freddie for his support.
My thanks to Nike Golf for donating the balls and drivers used by the soldiers.
All professionals received challenge coins featuring one of the five branches of the U.S. Military and the AT&T National. Each day of the tournament, another will be handed out, meaning if you make the cut, you receive all five. We think they are pretty cool keepsakes.
Obviously, it's very disappointing that I'm not there. I missed playing the Buick Open in Flint, Michigan, and I am unable to fulfill my role as tournament host this week. Being laid up at home and watching on TV is no fun, but those are the cards right now, and I just have to deal with it.
I do want to offer my sincere thanks to AT&T, all the members at Congressional Country Club, the volunteers, the military, the fans, Freddie and the other 120 professionals who are competing this week for the $1,080,000 first prize. Not a bad way to spend your 4th of July and I wish I was there fighting with the guys.
I have been told the board of directors at Congressional have recommended to the membership that the tournament be extended through 2017. I couldn't be more excited. I have already said I would like our tournament to be there in perpetuity, and I hope the membership feels the same. We really have all the elements in place for a great event: a fantastic course, in our nation's capitol, on our nation's birthday. The stars couldn't get aligned any better.
As you probably know, I had reconstructive surgery on my left knee after winning the U.S. Open. I'm not sure how I got through the week, but it was definitely the biggest win of my pro career. Special thanks to my wife Elin, daughter Sam, trainer Keith Kleven, swing coach Hank Haney, and surgeons Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg and Vernon J. Cooley for all their support and help.
I'm wearing a full leg brace and will be on crutches for a few weeks. To be honest, I'm not sure when my rehabilitation will start. I can't put weight on my leg yet. These are the longest days - it feels like a 38-hour day.
That's it for now. Time to ice my knee.
Thanks to all my fans for your well-wishes and support. Have a happy and safe July 4th and I'll recap the AT&T National with you next week.
Tiger
Tiger Woods said:
Things are lot better since I last wrote to you. I'm a lot more mobile, which is really nice. I can't catch Sam yet, but I'm getting close. The big thing is I've started my rehab and can ride the bike. I can't ride it hard - just motion - but am getting in two or three sessions a day.
As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until next year. I just don't have a choice. We simply don't know what type of swelling there would be or if there would be any residual effects the next day once you start wheeling and dealing on the knee. Everyone's body reacts differently. I could putt right now, but I'm not going to do it.
I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about playing golf down the road. I'm taking it day-to-day, week-to-week. All I'm doing every day is looking forward to my next day. A lot of guys have checked in with me to see how I'm doing. It's been an unbelievable response and I really appreciate it.
Initially, I probably lost about 10 pounds because I wasn't working out. All of that was muscle. I've put about two pounds back on, but I'm still pretty light. I'm eating mostly raw and organic foods that provide the most nutrients.
I didn't watch much of the British Open and saw a little bit of the British Senior Open, because my friend John Cook was in contention. I watched some of the PGA Championship and want to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his wins at the British and PGA. As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most. I stayed plenty busy with my rehab and watched some of the Olympics on television. I did arrange the menu for the Champions dinner, and it was a combo of American and Swedish food. I want to thank the PGA for organizing that very special evening.
The thing I miss the most about not competing is the fight. I've gone through this experience before, so I knew what I was in for. I know I'm in no condition to beat anybody right now, so I don't have a problem with not being able to compete.
I recently went to Congressional Country Club to meet with the members about hosting the AT&T National from 2012 through 2017. It's a fantastic facility and the Blue Course is one of the best around. Our partnership with Congressional has helped us do some really neat things locally with the military and various charities. It's been a great partnership, and I hope to continue it.
Later this month, we're going to launch our new video game: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. We've made some exciting changes, like the new "true one-to-one golf swing," that I really think you're going to like. In fact, the game just recently won the Best Sports Game of E3 2008 for the Wii.
I've also been working with Gatorade on a new fitness drink. They have been so helpful during my rehab, trying to think of ways to expedite my recovery process. It's been a pleasure to join forces with them. I'm also overseeing my golf course design projects in Dubai and North Carolina, and I'm really enjoying the work. Both projects are coming along nicely. I have eight holes rough shaped in Dubai, and we are hoping to start construction later this year in North Carolina.
I will definitely watch some of the Ryder Cup Matches and will be pulling hard for the American Team. I wish I could do more than root! That's all for now. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I'll talk to you soon.
Tiger
Tiger Woods scored even par today to remain in contention
for the open .... ..
Hadi raha kumuangalia, weekend itakuwa poa sana kuangalia bila pressure anazidi kuweka gap kati yake na numer 2 player in the World Phil Nickelson. 8 under today and six holes to go.