Tiger Woods announced today he will miss the Masters for the first time since 1995 when he first entered it as an amateur. Seems he had a pinched nerve repaired. And already the “boo-birds” are out saying his career is over. But those birds don’t know much about back operations. When it comes to back operations, repairing a pinched nerve is like falling off a log (assuming it’s true) compared to the fusing of discs. Now THAT is major back surgery. Take it from one who knows. I’ve had four back operations but it was the last one (fusing five discs in a 6-hour operation) that did me in. I’m still able to get around okay but I had to kiss my days playing handball and jogging – goodbye. Thank goodness Tigers’ problems aren’t nearly as severe as mine, or anyone else who has had major back surgery.

Tiger says he’s still eyeing those records held by Jack Nicholas for most championships won (18) and Sam Snead for most PGA Tour Titles won (82). And I predict he will eventually break both of them. The only thing that could keep him from doing this does involve his back. And his ex-wife (keeping her off of it.) Ex-wives can be quite vindictive, especially when their ex-husband is dating a beautiful Olympic Skier.  And they’ve been known to use their children as negotiating weapons.