After undergoing surgery on his back for the sixth time in his illustrious career, golfing legend Tiger Woods has provided an update on his fitness for the first time in months
Tiger Woods has admitted that he is not “tournament sharp” as he acknowledged that he will be unable to play at his 2024 Hero World Challenge event to close out the year.
The 15-time major victor has been sidelined as he continues his recovery from a sixth surgery on his back of his career – which he underwent in September. The 48-year-old golfing icon has not played since competing at The Open back in July and has completed 72 holes at a tournament on just four occasions since being involved in a car crash back in 2021.
Sitting down for a press conference ahead of the Hero World Challenge, he confirmed he will not form part of the field this week at Albany. The veteran superstar had previously expressed his regret at missing out on competing alongside household names including Scottie Scheffler at the event.
Taking to social media, tournament host Woods said: “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.”
Now, the five-time Masters victor has provided an update on his health, telling reporters in the Bahamas that he will not compete again this year, saying: “I’m not physically ready yet to compete at this level. I still need to keep training and give myself the best chance next year and the events ahead.
“I’m not tournament sharp yet. Not sharp enough to compete at this level,” he said, before providing some details on his ongoing rehabilitation after going under the knife, saying: “It was quite painful,” before adding: “[I will] give myself the best chance going into next year.”
Tiger Woods addressed his own fitness battle ahead of the Hero World Challenge 2024 ( Image: David Cannon/Getty Images)
Woods also noted that his back troubles had plagued him throughout 2024, saying: “I know what to expect coming out of it. The relief I had. Didn’t have the spasm, didn’t have the nerve pain. I still have a long road ahead of me with rehab and recovery. Feel like I’m getting stronger but I got a long way to go to compete.”
As for whether he has a timeline for his return, he said: “I don’t. I really don’t. I’m just progressively trying to test it, keep making progress without setting it off. I don’t want to have any setbacks. I’ve got a long way to go to compete against these guys.”
It remains to be seen when the legendary star will finally make his comeback but he will have to settle for a hosting role at Albany Golf Course this time around. The event, which is put on to aid the Tiger Woods Foundation, will see the likes of Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay and Sahith Theegala take part.
The field will feature 20 players in total, with the aforementioned Scheffler set to arrive in the Bahamas as the defending champion. A purse of $5,000,000 is on offer for the victors as they descend on the event, which forms part of the PGA Tour schedule.
