Tiger Woods will be in the Bahamas this week, and he’ll be seen plenty at Albany Golf Club at the Hero World Challenge. But the 15-time major champion isn’t playing in the 20-man field.
Woods is sidelined by his sixth significant back surgery of his career, coming back in September — a microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back.
Just before Thanksgiving, Woods confirmed he wouldn’t be playing.
“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with [title sponsor Hero Motor Corp.],” Woods tweeted in part.
Woods played in this tournament a year ago, finishing 18th in the 20-player field.
Scottie Scheffler won the event by three shots on 20-under total. The world No. 1 will defend his title starting on Thursday at Albany Golf Club.
As for when Woods might play golf again, there is no timeline. Woods played sparingly in 2024, competing only in the four men’s major championships. He made the cut in the Masters to finish 60th before missing the cut at the PGA Championship, US Open and The Open Championship. Woods has unlimited exemptions into all of the majors, save for the US Open, as a past champion. The USGA only awards 10-year exemptions to US Open winners, unlike the other three men’s majors, and Woods’ five-year US Open exemption as the 2019 Masters champion has expired.
Woods, though, is part owner and competitor in TGL, a new hybrid indoor golf league which starts in January. Woods is slated to play on the Jupiter Links Golf Club team, along with Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner. Their first match is January 14.
