Tiger Woods makes Hero World Challenge decision sure to disappoint fans

Tiger Woods has made his decision on whether or not he will play in next week’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Tiger Woods will not be playing at the Hero World Challenge next week, the tournament he hosts every December in the Bahamas.

He made the announcement on social media.

“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 Hero Motor Corp,” Woods said on X on Monday.

“Excited to welcome our exemptions Justin Thomas, Jason Day, and Nick Dunlap into the field.”

Woods and the Hero World Challenge announced the first 17 commitments to this year’s edition on Oct. 22. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will be there to defend his title. As will Ludvig Åberg, Wyndham Clark, and Hideki Matsuyama. But in making that initial announcement, Woods left three sponsor exemptions available to round out the 20-man field, leaving the door open for him to play competitively for the first time since July. He missed the cut at The Open at Royal Troon then.

Yet, another back operation in mid-September has stymied Woods’ ability to compete next week. He underwent microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in his lower back on Sept. 13.

“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,” Woods said in a statement on X in September.

“I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”

Woods has yet to announce his plans for 2025 regarding his playing schedule, but as tournament host, he will answer questions about those next week in the Bahamas. In all likelihood, the next time fans will see him play will be at Augusta National in April.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.