Tiger won't play before 2009
2008-08-12 21:20
Los Angeles - Tiger Woods has said he will
be unable to swing a golf club until next year as he recovers
from reconstructive knee surgery.
The American world number one decided to have surgery on his
left knee for a fourth time after winning the US Open in
mid-June, ending his 2008 PGA Tour campaign.
"As far as swinging a club, that's not going to happen until
next year," Woods said in his monthly newsletter on Tuesday. "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."
Woods, a winner of 14 major titles, underwent an anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction of his left knee. He had
torn his knee ligament after last year's British Open at
Carnoustie while running and took 10 weeks off at the end of the
2007 season.
He took a further two months off after having arthroscopic
surgery two days after the Masters in April and did not play
competitively until the June 12-15 US Open.
"I don't know what the doctors are going to tell me about
playing golf down the road," the 32-year-old added. "I'm taking
it day-to-day, week-to-week. All I'm doing every day is looking
forward to my next day."