ORLANDO, Fla., June 18 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods, two days after winning his third U.S. Open title, announced he would miss the rest of the 2008 golf season because of surgery on his left knee.
Woods' dramatic sudden-death playoff victory at the U.S. Open was punctuated by images of the golfer often grimacing after hitting a shot and limping noticeably.
"While I am obviously disappointed to have to miss the remainder of the season, I have to do the right thing for my long-term health and look forward to returning to competitive golf when my doctors agree that my knee is sufficiently healthy," Woods said in a statement on his Web site. "My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects."
Woods is to undergo reconstructive surgery on his left knee. He was also found to have a double stress fracture of his left tibia -- a bone in the lower part of the leg. That injury may have come from rehabilitation Woods did after arthroscopic surgery done on his knee after The Masters.
Woods, 32, played in six events in 2008, winning four and finished second once -- in The Masters. He's won 65 PGA tournaments and more than $82.3 million over his professional career. The U.S. Open victory Monday was his 14th major title. Only Jack Nicklaus, with 18, has won more.
