[Dion]

Tiger Woods talks about his back pain and surgery.....

Woods said Monday his back injury became so debilitating this year it caused him to doubt his ability to play golf again.

''Forget about playing golf at the highest level. I couldn't get out of bed,'' Woods said. ''I was certainly doubtful at that point. What's it going to feel like? Am I going to be pain free? Am I going to be able to actually do this again, where I can to get out of bed, and go out there and play with my kids and play golf? All those things were up in the air.''

Woods said the doubt was erased after microdiscectomy surgery March 31. He said the procedure, which relieved pain from a pinched nerve, provided immediate relief, although he said there's still ''no timetable'' for his return to golf - or even for taking a full swing. As of now, he remains limited to chipping and putting.

''I would like to, as all athletes, go out on my own terms,'' Woods said. ''And ultimately I want to continue playing at an elite level as long as I deem I want to do it. For some guys it's in their 60s and 70s, and other guys it's in their 40s and 50s.

''But prior to the surgery, I didn't think I would have much of a playing career if I felt like this. ... Now that I've had the procedure, I'm excited about what the prospects hold, and if I'm able to feel this way, I'm excited about my career. I'm able to do what I want to do for as long as I want to.''

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/woo...466--golf.html