15-time major winner will still have important role at prestigious tournament
“DISAPPOINTED” Tiger Woods has been forced into a schedule U-turn as he goes back on his Open promise.
The legendary golfer, 48, has not played competitively since missing the cut at the British Open in July.
2Tiger Woods will not play at December’s Hero World Challenge in The BahamasCredit: Getty
At Royal Troon, Woods revealed he was looking forward to playing at December’s Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas.
However, the 15-time major winner confirmed he will not tee off in Albany next week – although he did not give a reason.
Woods tweeted: “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.”
Woods was left off the initial player field list last month.
But he was expected to be given one of the three exemption spots for the unofficial event featuring 20 of the world’s biggest stars.
Now, though, Woods has declared himself out of the playing field and will instead only host the event.
Two-time major winner Justin Thomas, former PGA Championship king Jason Day and 20-year-old rising talent Nick Dunlap received the exemption places for the prestigious tournament from December 5 to 8.
World No1, Olympic gold medalist and defending champion Scottie Scheffler heads the star-studded field.
He is joined by the likes of Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Bob MacIntyre and Tony Finau.
Woods has played just five tournaments this year, including the Masters where he made the cut for a record 24th time in a row.
He eventually finished 60th at Augusta but missed the cut at the other three majors.
Woods went under the knife for microdecompression surgery to fix nerve impingement on his lower back in September.
And following the op, he was hopeful of a swift return to the course.
Woods said at the time: “The surgery went smoothly, and I’m hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season.
“I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”
Woods could compete in the PNC Championship later in December alongside son Charlie.
But if he is still not ready for that, then the next time golf fans are likely to see him swing a club will be at the delayed launch of his new venture with Rory McIlroy, the TGL.
The TGL will see some of the world’s top golfers team up for the high-tech indoor simulator-style event.
It was set up in response to the golf civil war between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
