Tiger Woods announced on Monday that he will not compete in next week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas after undergoing back surgery in September.
The 15-time major champion revealed that fellow Americans Justin Thomas and Nick Dunlap, along with Australian Jason Day, would complete the 20-player field for the event, scheduled for December 5-8 at Albany Golf Course.
“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge, but I always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp,” Woods shared in a post on X.
Woods, a five-time winner of the Hero World Challenge, has served as the host for the annual event but has only competed once in the past three years due to ongoing health concerns.
His most recent back surgery in September was the sixth of his career, aimed at relieving the back spasms and pain that affected him during the 2024 season, including his most recent appearance at the British Open in July.
The 82-time PGA Tour winner, tied with Sam Snead for the most career victories, has made just 10 official starts since his 2021 car accident, which resulted in severe leg injuries.
The Hero World Challenge will see Scottie Scheffler return as defending champion.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Nick Dunlap will make his debut in the tournament, having become the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour event when he claimed the American Express title in January.
Dunlap went on to secure his second career title at the Barracuda Championship last July, making history as the first player to win both as an amateur and a professional in the same season.
AFP
