Tiger may miss Mercedes Championships

Tiger Woods may miss the first event of 2003 after successful knee surgery yesterday.

The world number one had a fluid drained from inside and outside the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee. Benign cysts were also removed.

Despite adding a third Masters and second US Open to his long list of honours the 26-year-old Woods has been bothered by inflammation in the knee for most of the year.

“I had been playing in pain most of the year and felt it was time to take care of it,” he said.

“From what I have been told, the operation went well. I’m looking forward to a full recovery and a great start to 2003.”

Woods will stay off his feet for the next week to 10 days, then begin light rehabilitation.

As a result of the surgery, he may not play in the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii on January 9-12.