Beem to be out indefinitely after Thursday back surgery

text size

Greenwood/Getty Images

Rich Beem has just one top-25 finish in nine starts this season.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rich Beem will undergo surgery Thursday to repair damage to the C-6 and C-7 vertebrae in his back.

The 2002 PGA champion started feeling pain in his back last Thursday and had some treatment but the pain flared again. An MRI Sunday revealed the damage and Beem's neurosurgeon recommended surgery that will be performed in Austin, Texas.

"He said if I was in a different profession this probably wouldn't be necessary at this point, but for a professional golfer it had to be done. And the sooner the better," said Beem.

Beem, who began feeling numbness in his upper back late last year, has greatly diminished strength in his right arm. His withdrawal from The Honda Classic last month due to shoulder pain may have been related to the disc problem.

"I can't say that for sure," said Beem. "What I can say is, I'm looking at some time off now."

The doctor has told Beem he's to rest for three weeks before chipping and putting and another three weeks after that before he can hit a driver. The date of his return to the PGA TOUR is uncertain.