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I am wondering how bad Tiger's muscle spasm was. I have had a muscle spasm in my back that was very painful when I swung the club but I wasnt grimacing and groaning like he was. My muscle trouble did not go away in one day either as he appeared to have less and less trouble as the weekend went on and the weather got colder and miserable. Not a good combination for a bad muscle. I read somewhere that some of the caddies were going to give him an Oscar for his performance on Thursday.

Why would he do that? After all, he played almost a whole year with his knee problems and we never even knew about it until after his surgery.

I spent several months under treatment for a similar injury that Tiger had and can tell you that when I did something I shouldn't, like swinging a golf club, his performance looked mild compared to mine!

At first, driving my car was almost impossible but once I was smart enough to start getting treatment, the pain receded to a bearable level almost at once. Didn't stop hurting, I just stopped screaming aloud when I turned the wrong way or picked up something too heavy. So, if his pain got progressively better after getting treatment 3 times a day and applying anesthetic cream, it's logical.

I didn't read the caddy remarks but Faldo did make a comment on TV about Tiger deserving an "Emmy". He must have realized how harsh he sounded because in later comments, he showed more sympathy.

I have these occasionally too, and it's not pleasant being reminded of them! They usually occur when I wake up, and usually if I slept in an awkward position. It seems as if the pain is never going to go away, and it hurts sooooooooooooooooooooo bad. Your muscles just tighten up and feel like they are going to explode.

I've never suffered from back spasms before but Tiger just doesn't seem like someone who would fake an injury. As mentioned earlier, he played with knee problems before. Last year, he didn't allow his knee surgery to be used as an excuse for his "slump." I'll give Tiger the benefit of the doubt.

Let me clarify. I have no doubt that Tiger had a problem. I think he was just being a little too over dramatic about it.

I think you've never really had a back problem...?

I'm not sure why Tiger would be too dramatic with a back injury. With his swingspeed, I'm sure he is agitating his injury just a tad I think it would only be a natural reflexive reaction to groan and wince when he swung. With all eyes on him anyways, why would he want more attention. I doubt he was looking for any sympathy.

I always find it interesting when people say "with his swing speed." His swing speed is about 130, and most Tour pros are about 120-125. Not a big difference. They ALL generate a lot of speed.

It's like when the announcers say Ernie Els has great touch "for a big man." Pound for pound, do little guys have better touch?? Ernie is 6'4, and Tiger is 6'2, but they never say Tiger has great touch for a big man. lol

Tiger's not really 6'2" though. Look at him standing next to Ernie or even Vijay next time they are paired together. Tiger's a good 3 or 4 inches shorter than both of them. I'd guess he's 5'11" or 6' tops.

yeah Card, you are probably right... I think they list him as taller too.

Tiger is being a little to dramatic...and yes I've had and still have back problems. I've got 3 disc out of place in my back and have been that way for a few years. Chiropractor didn't help any and I really don't want to have surgery...I play with it and yes it hurts, but I'm not hunching over and shots because of the pain.

I also get them occasionally. Just turning your head can be a feat. I admire him for playing thru, but I feel he and the media made it to be more than it was.
A few muscle relaxants and that should take care of it...... to an extent. The problem is many "experts" prescribe pain relievers for a muscle spasm, which does nothing for the spasm itself. Get rid of the spasm and the pain will go away.
Been there and done that. I used to pitch baseball in College and some semi-pro. Believe me a pitcher knows what a muscle spasm in the back feels like!

A few muscle relaxants to help a 130 mph swing speed? Maybe that's why Tiger missed so many fairways this year!

130mph?? nuts. I didn't think anyone swung that fast. I'd like to get mine checked. Do you just use a radar gun, like coppers use to give me tickets?

As a veteran of two back operations, I can tell you that I could not function before the surgery. The pain was absolutely excruciating and debilitating. The first time, when the pain finally subsided, I was left with permanent nerve damage in my left leg. The pain stopped because the nerve died. I wouldn't recommend waiting that long before surgery; otherwise, you could end up dragging a leg around or having a "toe drop" like me.

I never question anyone's back pain.