The Golf Channel has been talking about the news all day, and here's what Tiger had to say on his own website:

"I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time. I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredible hard work, and make sure the focus was on the U.S.Open. Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

"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. My doctors assure me with the proper rehabilitation and training, the knee will be strong and there will be no long-term effects."

And, if that's not enough, besides having to have more surgery on the knee, he will also be recuperating from a stress fracture in his left leg that he experienced a couple weeks before the U.S. Open. That was causing him plenty of pain, also, during the OPEN. 

There is a very good article in today's Virginian-Pilot about Tiger, by David Brooks of the New York Times. The headline is,  'In distracting age, Woods a model of mental toughness.' If you haven't had a chance to read it, it's well worth the look. Brooks  talks about the mental discipline Tiger Woods possesses, as well as his ability to stay focused and in the moment while all the peripheral madness goes on around him when he's on the golf course.

To have got through this U.S. Open tournament, an extra day of play, PLUS an extra hole - AND to win the thing - mere mortals like you and I can only marvel at the 'winning mentality' Tiger needed for this win. 

Good luck Tiger Woods! You'll be in many of our thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

/Golfbythecupful

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