Swede Jesper Parnevik fears a broken vertebrae in his lower back could force him to retire.

Parnevik, a five-time winner on the PGA Tour, underwent an emergency back operation on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for a month.

But doctors have also told the 44-year-old he will need to undergo joint fusion surgery.

Parnevik told Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet the advanced operation "seems inevitable" and "means I can't play any more".

"I'll have to hope for a miracle if there's going to be any more competitive golf," he added.

Parnevik, who recently made headlines by expressing outrage about Tiger Woods' off-course behaviour, intends to visit a physiotherapist in Detroit next week in a last-ditch attempt to save his career.

After missing the whole of last season following hip surgery, Parnevik failed to win back his PGA Tour card at Q-school in December.

His most recent win came at the 2001 Honda Classic although he is, perhaps, best remembered for finishing runner up at the Open in both 1994 and 1997.