Woods was exempted from the Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, but has confirmed he will not be able to compete in the Bahamas next month as he continues his recovery
The golfing world was rocked by news that Tiger Woods, the legendary 15-time major champion, won’t be swinging his clubs at the upcoming Hero World Challenge next month.
He took to social media to express his feelings, revealing: “I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge,” and adding, “But always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp.”
Despite grappling with an onslaught of injuries, Woods confirmed he wouldn’t be disappearing entirely from the scene, as he will fulfill his role as host of the PGA Tour event. Besides the update on his own participation, Woods also announced that Justin Thomas, Jason Day, and newcomer Nick Dunlap have been exempted to compete in the prestigious Bahamas event.
Fans and players alike are no doubt feeling the sting from the absence of the iconic golfer who played through the pain across all major championships this year and even toughed it out at the Genesis Invitational in February before a sudden illness bowled him out.
Woods has only completed a full tournament once this season – at the Masters. He didn’t make it past the cut at other major events, including the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and most recently The Open Championship, where he battled the harsh Scottish coastal weather at Royal Troon but didn’t reach the weekend rounds.
Speaking of his plans post-missed cut in July, Woods said: “I’m not going to play until then,” referring to a December event in the Bahamas and the PNC Championship, where he hopes to enter as a proud dad in the father-son challenge. “I’m going to just keep getting physically better and keep working on it. Hopefully just come back for our — what is it, our fifth major, the Father-Son, so looking forward to it.”
Tiger Woods last played The Open ( Image: Getty Images)
Despite pulling out of the Bahamas outing, whether Tiger will tee up alongside his son Charlie at the PNC remains uncertain. If he skips that one, his fans can look forward to seeing him represent Jupiter Links Golf Club at the inaugural TGL come January, indoors.
Woods, who has claimed the green jacket at Augusta five times, also disclosed undergoing further surgery on his back in September.
“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,” he penned on his social channels. “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”
