Tiger has second surgery on back

MANILA, Philippines - With his game ailing, Tiger Woods announced he underwent a second microdiscectomy surgery on his back.

“This is certainly disappointing, but I’m a fighter,” Woods said. “I’ve been told I can make a full recovery, and I have no doubt that I will.”

Woods made the announcement on his website – www.tigerwoods.com – and reported the microsurgical procedure – intended to relieve pain from a pinched nerve – was performed late Wednesday in Park City, Utah, by neurosurgeon Dr. Charles Rich. Woods pulled out of three events he planned to play this year and isn’t expected to return to the tour until January at the earliest.

Dr. Rich, who performed the initial operation in March 2014, called it “a complete success.” Woods was discharged Thursday.

The 14-time major champion hasn’t won one of golf’s four biggest events since the 2008 US Open. Woods also has won more than 100 events worldwide, but none since the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.