Report: Tiger Woods Needs Another Knee Surgery, Won't Play Again Until 2009

Tiger Woods' U.S. Open title came at a heavy price.

The Golf Channel is reporting that Woods has a stress fracture in addition to torn ligaments in his knee, and that the combination of injuries is so severe that he will need season-ending surgery.

From the report:

He experienced a small stress fracture in his left leg about two weeks before the U.S. Open, which was causing him the pain, and ultimately the doctors feel that he needs ACL surgery and rest to get him back to 100%.

Sources added that Tiger is in great spirits and wants to ensure that he comes back even better at the start of the 2009 season.

Although his playing schedule is going to put on hold, he will continue to make numerous appearances and fulfill his sponsor and charitable commitments over the next five to six months.

Sources may say that Woods is "in great spirits," but this has to be devastating to him. A day ago, it appeared that Woods was at the top of his game and poised to firmly establish himself as the greatest golfer ever. Now he has a long rehabilitation process ahead of him.

The big question facing Woods now: If he re-aggravated the knee injury playing 91 holes in five days, was winning the U.S. Open worth it?

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson putt on the third hole over looking the Pacific Ocean during the first round of the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Thursday, June 12, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods (L) and Rocco Mediate fill out their scorecards after the 18th hole during the playoff round of the U.S. Open golf championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Rick Wilking (UNITED STATES)

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Tiger Woods' wife Elin Nordegren watches play during the playoff round at the 108th U.S. Open golf championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)

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Tiger Woods hits from the 14th tee during the playoff round at the 108th U.S. Open golf championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

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Tiger Woods looks over his shot to the 12th hole during the playoff round at the 108th U.S. Open golf championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

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Tiger Woods tips his cap after parring the 10th hole during the playoff round at the 108th U.S. Open golf championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

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Tiger Woods' wife Elin Nordegren watches play during the playoff round at the 108th U.S. Open golf championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

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Tiger Woods holds his daughter, Sam Alexis, after winning the US Open championship in a sudden death hole against Rocco Mediate following an 18-hole playoff round at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods holds his daughter, Sam Alexis, as his wife brushes aside her hair after Woods' win the US Open championship in a sudden death hole against Rocco Mediate following an 18-hole playoff round at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Rocco Mediate takes a drop on the seventh and sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Monday, June 16, 2008 in San Diego. Tiger Woods won the US Open championship over Mediate. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)