Injury sidelines Woods for 2008 season

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Tiger Woods will have reconstructive surgery on his left knee that will sideline him for the rest of the 2008 season, the world number one said on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old American nursed a painful knee all week before clinching his 14th major title at the U.S. Open on Monday, winning a 19-hole playoff against compatriot Rocco Mediate.

It was his first tournament in two months since having surgery on the knee two days after the U.S. Masters in mid-April.

Woods outlined that he would have reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. He also said he would require time off to rehabilitate a double stress fracture of his left tibia that was found last month.

The stress fractures were attributed to Woods's intense rehabilitation and preparation for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

"I know much was made of my knee throughout the last week, and it was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time," Woods said in a statement on his official website (www.tigerwoods.com).

"I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA (United States Golf Association) and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the U.S. Open.

"Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is to listen to my doctors, follow through with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."