With Tiger Woods sidelined indefinitely following another procedure on his back, Rory McIlroy believes that the former world No. 1 faces a "long road ahead" as he looks to return to competition.
McIlroy is playing this week at the Turkish Airlines Open, and he learned Friday night of Woods' decision to undergo a follow-up procedure to relieve discomfort in the wake of his second microdiscectomy surgery, performed Sept. 16. McIlroy reiterated that Woods' absence is felt by the game of golf as a whole, but he believes it may be awhile before the 14-time major champ is seen again inside the ropes.