The field for the Hero World Challenge has been revealed and while Scottie Scheffler headlines the pack, there is one notable omission: Tiger Woods.
Woods’ omission from the Hero World Challenge is glaring considering the golf legend hosts the the event. The Hero World Challenge is part of the PGA Tour schedule but because it is an unofficial event, entrants do not receive FedEx Cup points or official funds as a result.
Overall, the purse for the 2024 iteration of the event totals $4.5 million, with the winner set to take home $1 million. Still, the biggest names in the sport often show out in the tournament though this time around, Woods is missing.
- Tiger Woods already has comeback date in sight after undergoing sixth back surgery
- Tiger Woods showed true colors with response to question from PGA teammate
As it stands, Scheffler, Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama, Sam Burns, Brian Harman, Sahith Theegala, Tony Finau, Sungjae Im, Tom Kim, Aaron Rai, Billy Horschel, Keegan Bradley, Russell Henley, Matthieu Pavon and Bob MacIntyre are confirmed to compete. There are three additional exemption spots available and the golfers given those spots will be revealed soon.
There could be a situation where Woods is awarded an exemption spot to compete in the Hero World Challenge, which would fall in line with his plans for the rest of the year. While the 48-year-old announced he had intended to compete in the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship, his plans to compete in those events have been effectively shelved after he announced he underwent another back surgery.
In mid-September, the golf legend announced on social media he underwent surgery to address issues he felt throughout his injury-maligned 2024 season, which saw him hobbled. Dr. Sheeraz Quereshi performed the surgery, which was deemed a success.
Tiger Woods is not competing in the Hero World Challenge at this point in time (
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“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 the statement. “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”
The back surgery was the sixth of his career, as he looked to be healthy enough to have a smoother 2025 season. It also is expected that Woods will return in time to compete in The Golf League, his and Rory McIlroy’s venture meant to compete with LIV Golf.
If Woods somehow can return to the course in time for the Hero World Challenge in December, he could feel the same aches and pains he did when he competed in last year’s iteration of the tournament. Speaking with Golfweek in December 2023, Woods did not hold back on how painful competing was for him.
“Everywhere,” Woods replied at the time when asked where he felt sore. “My leg, my back, my neck. Just from playing and hitting shots, trying to hold off shots. It’s just different at game speed, too. Game speed is a lot different than at-home speed.”
Although he felt pain at the Hero World Challenge in 2023, Woods still proclaimed he could compete in at least one tournament a month in 2024. However, his plan went awry and announced in July he would be recovering for the rest of the year, believing he aimed higher than where he should.
“I thought I could play a little bit more earlier in the year. I think I was a little bit too optimistic,” he admitted. “At the end of last year, it was tough, and I haven’t played a whole lot. I think that, as the year has gone on, I have gotten better. I just wish I could have played a little bit more, but I’ve been saving it for the majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it.”
Leave a Reply