Tiger Woods underwent reconstructive surgery yesterday to repair a torn ligament in his left knee, an operation described as a success by his doctors.

The American world number one decided last week to have a fourth operation on the same knee, just two days after playing through pain to win the US Open in San Diego.

Tiger Woods drops to his knees after missing a birdie putt on a sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego on June 16, 2008. Woods had reconstructive surgery on his left knee yesterday.

"We were confident going into this surgery and I am pleased with the results," Dr. Thomas D. Rosenberg said in a statement issued by Woods's management team.

"There were no surprises during the procedure, and as we have said, with the proper rehabilitation and training, it is highly unlikely that Mr. Woods will have any long-term effects as it relates to his career."

Woods, 32, decided to shut down his 2008 campaign after clinching his 14th major title at the US Open eight days ago, winning a 19-hole playoff against compatriot Rocco Mediate.

It was his first tournament in two months since having surgery to clean out cartilage in the knee two days after the US Masters in April.

Woods outlined that he would have reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament, which he tore 11 months ago after last year's British Open at Carnoustie.

TIME OFF

He also said he would require time off to rehabilitate a double stress fracture of his left tibia that was found last month and attributed to his intense rehabilitation and preparation for the US Open.

"It was important to me to have the surgery as soon as possible so that I could begin the rehabilitation process," Woods said in a statement yesterday.

"I am very appreciative of Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Cooley and his staff's guidance and look forward to working with them through the necessary rehabilitation and training.

"I also wanted to thank everyone for their well wishes over the past week," added Woods, who initially had surgery on his left knee in 1994, to remove a benign tumour, followed by arthroscopic surgery in 2002.

"I look forward to working hard at my rehabilitation over the coming months and returning to the PGA Tour healthy next year."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily June 25, 2008)