Updated

Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that he will not play in this year's Masters Tournament due to a recent surgery to alleviate a pinched nerve in his back.

"After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided, in consultation with my doctors, to have his procedure done," Woods announced on his website.

Woods had surgery on Monday in Park City, Utah and called the procedure a success.  He will begin intensive rehabilitation and treatment and doctors estimate he will be able to play again in about three weeks. The Masters begins next week.

"It's tough right now, but I'm absolutely optimistic about the future," Woods said.