Tiger gets surgery

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Golf superstar Tiger Woods said Friday he will be sidelined until 2016 after a second back surgery, but confidently predicted he would make a full recovery.

In an article posted on his website, the 14-time major champion revealed he had surgery on Wednesday in Utah.

The microdiscectomy was similar to the procedure he underwent on March 31, 2014, Woods said.

“This is certainly disappointing, but I’m a fighter,’’ Woods said. “I’ve been told I can make a full recovery, and I have no doubt that I will.’’

In the meantime, Woods said he would have to withdraw from the USPGA Tour’s Frys.com Open in October, as well as the twoman America’s Golf Cup in Mexico City and his own unofficial Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December.

“I’d like to send my regrets to Frys and all those associated with the America’s Golf Cup,’’ Woods said. “Those were two events I was really looking forward to playing.

“I was ready to start the 201516 PGA TOUR season at Frys, and I was excited to join my good friend Matt (Kuchar) in Mexico City.’’

Woods said he would attend the Hero World Challenge that benefits his charitable foundation, but won’t be able to play.

“I look forward to being there to support my event,’’ he said.

Former world number one Woods struggled through a miserable 2015 campaign that included missed cuts at three straight major championships – the US Open, British Open and PGA Championship.