The surgeon who advised Tiger Woods to undergo his career-saving spinal surgery has revealed that he did not expect the American to get back to the level that would enable him to win another major trophy.
Damian Fahy, consultant spinal surgeon at the Fortius Clinic, also said Woods was in pain almost 24 hours a day before he had spinal fusion surgery in 2017. He said Woods reminded him of Andy Murray in his professionalism and control of his treatment.
Tiger Woods celebrates victory in this year's Masters.Credit:AP
Fahy said the first ambition for Woods' treatment was to ease that pain and that returning to playing golf at any level was seen as a bonus.
The day after Woods completed a remarkable recovery by winning the Masters in Augusta, Fahy put the American's revival down to his strength of mind and willpower.
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"People don't realise just how much pain Tiger was in," Fahy said. "When he came to see me, his first thought was get to a place where he would be able to spend time with his kids without breaking down in agony. The pain was 24/7. You never know how a person will recover – most of it will depend on the patient's strength of mind – but if we were to get back to playing golf at all, we saw that as a bonus. To get to the point where he could win the Masters is incredible.
"He had achieved everything in the sport. A lot of people would have retired to a quiet life, but that wasn't enough for Tiger."
Woods turned to Fahy having undergone three forms of back surgery and being unsure whether his career would continue. Fahy spent a week examining his medical history going back four years and recommended he undergo surgery with Richard Guyer at the TexasRead More – Source
The surgeon who advised Tiger Woods to undergo his career-saving spinal surgery has revealed that he did not expect the American to get back to the level that would enable him to win another major trophy.
Damian Fahy, consultant spinal surgeon at the Fortius Clinic, also said Woods was in pain almost 24 hours a day before he had spinal fusion surgery in 2017. He said Woods reminded him of Andy Murray in his professionalism and control of his treatment.
Tiger Woods celebrates victory in this year's Masters.Credit:AP
Fahy said the first ambition for Woods' treatment was to ease that pain and that returning to playing golf at any level was seen as a bonus.
The day after Woods completed a remarkable recovery by winning the Masters in Augusta, Fahy put the American's revival down to his strength of mind and willpower.
Advertisement
"People don't realise just how much pain Tiger was in," Fahy said. "When he came to see me, his first thought was get to a place where he would be able to spend time with his kids without breaking down in agony. The pain was 24/7. You never know how a person will recover – most of it will depend on the patient's strength of mind – but if we were to get back to playing golf at all, we saw that as a bonus. To get to the point where he could win the Masters is incredible.
"He had achieved everything in the sport. A lot of people would have retired to a quiet life, but that wasn't enough for Tiger."
Woods turned to Fahy having undergone three forms of back surgery and being unsure whether his career would continue. Fahy spent a week examining his medical history going back four years and recommended he undergo surgery with Richard Guyer at the TexasRead More – Source
