Woods' comeback performances

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Tiger Woods has remained relatively injury-free for most of his storied PGA TOUR career, but his left knee has been his Achilles Heel. The knee has been the subject of three surgeries in the last five years. The first two were minor -- he had the knee scoped in 2003 and 2008 -- but each time, he stayed out of action for the standard 4-8 weeks.

After winning the U.S. Open in 2008, Woods opted to have his knee completely rebuilt. Woods originally tore the ACL in his left knee while jogging in 2007, but he delayed surgery. Ernis Els suffered a similar injury while on vacation in mid-2005, and he didn't play another PGA TOUR event until Feb. 2006, when he tied for 23rd in the Nissan Open. Despite the injury, Els remained in the top five in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Woods' time off from the TOUR

Year 2002-03 Reason Cyst removal, fluid drain Length of layoff About 7 weeks Return tournament Buick Invitational Result Win 2006 Death of father 6 weeks U.S. Open Missed cut 2008 Arthroscopic knee surgery 10 weeks U.S. Open Win 2008-09 ACL surgery 8 months World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship ---