US Open champion Tiger Woods will miss the rest of the season to have surgery on his injured left knee.

That means Woods, 32, is ruled out of the Open at Royal Birkdale, the Ryder Cup and USPGA Championship.

"It was important to me that I disclose my condition publicly at an appropriate time," Woods said on his website.

"Now, it is clear that the right thing to do is listen to my doctors, follow though with this surgery, and focus my attention on rehabilitating my knee."

Woods also stated he needed time to recover from a double stress fracture in his leg which were "attributed to Woods's intense rehabilitation and preparations for the US Open".

This will be the fourth time Woods's left knee will be operated on.

The first was carried out in 1994 when a benign tumour was removed and that was followed by arthroscopic surgery in December 2002. Woods then hurt his knee in 2007 while jogging in Orlando, but played through the pain, winning nine tour titles.

The American finally opted to have another arthroscopic procedure on 15 April to clean out cartilage in his left knee.

It was hoped that by doing that, and avoiding knee ligament surgery, he could complete the 2008 season.

Woods added: "My rehabilitation schedule after the arthroscopic surgery was designed with the goal of returning to play at the Memorial (on 29 May), 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."

Woods announced his decision just two days after winning his 14th major by defeating Rocco Mediate in a sudden-death play-off at the US Open.

He was limping throughout the four days of competition at Torrey Pines but stayed in contention forcing a play-off with an 18th hole birdie before repeating the feat on the final hole in the play-off.

The Californian eventually sealed the victory on the sudden-death hole.