Calcavecchia undergoes arthroscopic knee surgery

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Mark Calcavecchia underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday, Feb. 18, to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee.

The 25-minute procedure was performed by Dr. Russell Chick of the Phoenix Orthopedic Group, who is also the Arizona Cardinals team orthopedist.

"This was the second procedure on the right knee," said Dr. Chick. "Mark had some loose cartilage and some wear-and-tear changes from a previous injury. We smoothed the rough edges and anticipate an uneventful and quick recovery."

Calcavecchia's knee "popped" while he was shooting 63 on Wednesday during the Phoenix Open pro-am. After shooting rounds of 70, 65 and 66, Calcavecchia limped to a 76 on Sunday at the Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale and plummeted to a share of 49th place. Playing hurt at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic he tied for 51st.

After a week off, though, Calcavecchia shot 8-under par at Torrey Pines and was joint seventh in the Buick Invitational before undergoing the arthroscopic surgery, his third such proceedure on his knee in nine years.

Calcavecchia will have the knee examined on Monday and set a timetable for his rehabilitation and return to play. According to his management company, Gaylord Sports, Calcavecchia hopes to start in the Honda Classic on March 13. This would be his 16th consecutive appearance in the event he's won twice.

Calcavecchia's first knee surgery was in 1994 following a skiing accident. He returned to action thirteen days later and tied for ninth place at the Buick Invitational. Two years ago he was simply walking a course when he felt a pop in his left knee and underwent subsequent cartilage repair. He returned to play the Honda Classic thirteen days later and shared second place.

"This time I'll have twenty-three days," said Calcavecchia, "so I should be in great shape."