Tiger Woods to Have Knee Surgery Following U.S. Open Win

According to his Web site, Tiger Woods will miss the rest of the 2008 season following reconstructive surgery to repair ligament damage in his left knee. This statement, released on his Web site, comes two days after his one-stroke U.S. Open victory over Rocco Mediate.

Woods stated that he ruptured the ligament last summer while running near his home in Florida. Rather than have reconstructive surgery at the time, he decided to manage the pain and his schedule to continue playing. However, the pain continued, and Woods had an arthroscopic procedure two days after the Masters in April. Following the operation, the release said, Woods sustained a double stress fracture of his left tibia.

These injuries explain the pain that Woods was unable to hide at Torrey Pines in San Diego, on the way to his sudden-death playoff win in the United States Open. Woods often winced and limped after hitting shots, but he was able to defeat Mediate through 19 holes on Monday for his 14th career major title.

Woods said, "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 U.S.G.A. and their incredibly hard work and make sure the focus was on the U.S. Open. Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."