Tigers Woods, the world's number one golfer, will undergo reconstructive knee surgery and miss the rest of the 2008 season, according to a statement on his website.

Woods, who notched his 14th major win in the US Open on Monday, will have surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and will also rehabilitate a stress fracture of his left tibia.

Woods will now not only miss the final two majors of the year - the British Open and USPGA - but also the Ryder Cup in September.

"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.

"I wanted to be very respectful of the USGA and their incredibly hard work, and make sure the focus was on the US 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."

At times during the US Open, Woods was noticeably limping. However, he was still able to force the play-off in thrilling fashion in Sunday's final round with a birdie putt at the 18th hole, then made another birdie at the 18th in the play-off before ultimately winning on the 91st hole.

While his schedule will be put on hold, Woods will continue to make numerous appearances and fulfil his sponsor and charitable commitments over the next five to six months.

Woods first hurt his knee in 2007 while jogging in Orlando. He attempted to play through the pain and continued to score victories, claiming nine titles in all while playing hurt.

However, he began to cut back his schedule and, as the pain persisted, elected to have surgery immediately after the Masters. Woods had an arthroscopic procedure designed to delay ACL surgery until the end of the season.

He explained: "My rehabilitation schedule after the arthroscopic surgery was designed with the goal of returning to play at the Memorial, but the stress fractures that were discovered just prior to the tournament unfortunately prevented me from participating and had a huge impact on the timing for my return.

"I was determined though, to do everything and anything in my power to play in the US Open at Torrey Pines, which is a course that is close to where I grew up and holds many special memories for me.

"Although I will miss the rest of the 2008 season, I'm thrilled with the fact that last week was such a special tournament."

Tiger Woods Factfile

* Becomes the youngest Masters winner with a tournament record aggregate of 18-under-par 270 at Augusta National in 1997. His victory margin of 12 shots is the biggest in the tournament's history.

* After a lean spell in 1998, when he revamps his swing with coach Butch Harmon, Woods wins eight titles in a golden run on the 1999 PGA tour, including his second major at the US PGA Championship where he holds off a charging Sergio Garcia.

* In 2000, Woods produces one of the most successful seasons in golfing history. Romps to victory by a record 15 strokes in the US Open, coasts home by eight shots in the British Open and claims his second PGA Championship.

* Becomes the fifth and youngest player to win a career grand slam of all four majors. Ends the year with nine titles on the PGA Tour, having completed his sixth in a row at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in February.

* Woods wins his second Masters crown in 2001 to become the first player to hold all four professional major titles at the same time.

* In 2004, he fails to win a major for the second year in a row after embarking on the second revamp of his swing since turning professional. Breaks Greg Norman's record for most weeks as world number one with a combined tally of 332 but his five-year reign at the top finally ends in September when Fijian Vijay Singh takes over.

* One year later, Woods wins his fourth Masters title and his second British Open. Reclaims world number one ranking in June and has held it ever since.

* Has an emotional 2006, having to deal with the illness and death in May of his father Earl. After tying for third at the Masters in April, he takes a nine-week break before missing the cut in the US Open on his return, the first time he has done that in a major as a professional. Comes back to win the last two majors of the year, the British Open at Hoylake and the US PGA Championship at Medinah. Ends 2006 with 11 titles worldwide, including six in a row on the PGA Tour.

* Cruises to an eight-shot victory in the 2007 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, his 14th individual title in a World Golf Championships (WGC) event. A week later, he clinches his 13th major and fourth US PGA Championship by two shots at Southern Hills Country Club.

* Launches his 2008 PGA Tour campaign with victories at the Buick Invitational, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational. Finishes second at the Masters in mid-April before undergoing knee surgery two days later.

* In his first tournament back after an eight-week break, he clinches his 14th major title with a playoff victory over fellow American Rocco Mediate at the 108th U.S. Open. Only Jack Nicklaus, with a record 18 career majors, lies ahead of him.

* Two days later, on June 18th, Woods announces on his Web site that he will have reconstructive surgery on his left knee and miss the rest of the 2008 season.