Tiger Woods is set to take part in the Hero World Challenge, his first competitive tournament in seven months. Woods, who is now 47 years old, has not played since withdrawing from The Masters in April. He underwent ankle surgery in May, following his withdrawal from The Masters, after struggling with pain across his three rounds at Augusta National the previous month, his second competitive appearance of 2023.
The Hero World Challenge, which was first staged in 2000 and is a benefit to Woods’ TGR Foundation, will take place in Albany, The Bahamas, and features a 20-player invitational field. Many top players, including five-time event winner Woods, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Max Homa and Matt Fitzpatrick will compete at the event.
American trio Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas will also be in the line-up, along with Justin Rose and Lucas Glover. Woods has primarily focused on participating in major championships since recovering from the car crash that caused significant leg injuries two years ago. However, he missed the three subsequent flagship events following The Masters this year as he recovered from his May surgery.
Woods has not stayed completely absent from the course, though. He has actively supported and even acted as a caddie for his son, Charlie, at various junior tournaments. Woods supported Charlie as he won his Junior National Golf Championship qualifier in Orlando in September and played a supporting role as the 14-year-old helped his Benjamin School boys team clinch the Florida High School state championship.
In addition to the Hero World Challenge, Woods is also scheduled to play in The TGL in January. The TGL is a televised indoor golf league staged in partnership with the PGA Tour and created by TMRW Sports, a company co-founded by Woods and Rory McIlroy.