Tiger Woods announced Friday that the back surgery he underwent Wednesday was a success, as reported by CBSSports.com. The legendary golfer said he expects to return to competition in the early part of 2016.

As noted by the report, Woods had a microdiscectomy surgery on his back for the second time. The first time he had the procedure done was back in March 2014.

"This is certainly disappointing, but I'm a fighter," Woods said in a released statement. "I've been told I can make a full recovery, and I have no doubt that I will."

Adding, "I appreciate the fans' concern and support. This is unfortunate, but these things happen. I've been injured before and played again. It won't be any different this time."

The CBSSports.com report also points out that according to Dr. Charles Rich, who performed the surgery at the Park City Medical Center in Utah, the golfer had a "small disc fragment that was pinching his nerve" removed from his back. Woods was discharged from the facility Thursday night and is slated to begin soft tissue treatment next week.

CBSSports.com notes that back in August at the Wyndham Championship, Woods insisted that his back was fine, complaining instead of discomfort in his hip. "It's not my back, no," he said then. "Just my hip."
Woods shot 64-65 in the tournament's Thursday and Friday rounds and appeared to position himself for the title before falling off over the weekend.

An examination following the tournament to find the source of discomfort found that while the pain seemed to be coming from Woods' hip, it was actually stemming from his back.

According to the CBSSports.com report, Woods originally planned to open the 2015-16 season by competing in the Frys.com Open, followed by the Bridgestone America's Golf Cup and Hero Challenge.