Tiger Woods has delayed his return to competitive golf, revealing he was “disappointed” not to be taking part in next month’s Hero World Challenge - a tournament he hosts.
The 15-time Major champion was anticipated to take one of the three exemption spots in the 20-player event in the Bahamas, which features some of the world’s top golfers. However, Woods has decided against participating.
"I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year, but always look forward to being tournament host," Woods wrote on X.
The three exemtpions will be filled by Justin Thomas, Nick Dunlap and Jason Day.
While Woods has not provided a specific reason for opting to skip the tournament, it is widely believed he is still recovering from the microdecompression surgery he underwent on his lumbar spine in September.
The procedure was the latest chapter in Woods’ long history of back issues. His troubles date back more than a decade to the 2014 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, where he withdrew due to back spasms.
That spring, he underwent surgery for a pinched nerve, forcing him to miss the Masters for the first time in his professional career. Over the years, Woods withdrew from numerous events citing back pain and underwent five microdiscectomy surgeries between April 2014 and January 2021.
His physical challenges were compounded by a car accident in February 2021, which caused open fractures in his right leg and severe ankle trauma. To stabilise his leg, doctors inserted a rod, screws and pins.
In 2023, Woods withdrew from the Masters during the third round, citing plantar fasciitis in his right ankle. This led to a subtalar fusion procedure in April, sidelining him for 10 months.
At the Hero World Challenge last December, Woods expressed hope of competing more regularly in 2024, targeting one tournament per month. However, that plan faltered as his body failed to hold up.
He withdrew from the Genesis Invitational in February, his first event of the year, and made only four additional starts - all at Major Championships.
Of those, he missed the cut in three, only making the weekend at the Masters, where he broke the record for most consecutive cuts made at Augusta National with 24.
