The full field for the 2024 edition of the Hero World Challenge has been confirmed, but there is a significant absence from the list, with Tiger Woods not involved.
The Hero World Challenge has revealed its line-up, with Scottie Scheffler leading the charge. However, the notable absence of Tiger Woods is hard to ignore.
Woods’ absence from the Hero World Challenge is especially conspicuous as he is the host of the event. The tournament is part of the PGA Tour schedule, but being an unofficial event, players do not earn FedEx Cup points or official funds.
The 2024 edition of the event boasts a total prize fund of $4.5 million (£3.5m), with the winner set to bag $1 million (£770k). Despite this, the tournament often attracts the biggest names in golf, although on this occasion, Woods will not be participating.
At present, the confirmed competitors include 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. Three additional exemption spots are yet to be announced.
There is a chance that Woods could be awarded one of these exemption spots to compete in the Hero World Challenge, aligning with his plans for the rest of the year.
The 48 year old golf legend’s schedule has hit an unforeseen snag after he announced another setback with his health, pausing his participation in the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship due to recent back surgery.
Woods took to social media in mid-September to inform fans about his latest medical procedure aimed at tackling severe discomfort that hindered his 2024 season, fraught with injury bouts. Conducted by Dr. Sheeraz Quereshi, the operation is reported to be a success.
In his statement, Woods said: “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,” and continued, “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”
Undergoing his sixth back surgery, expectations are high for Woods to make a strong return in 2025, particularly with the anticipation surrounding his involvement in The Golf League, his partnership with Rory McIlroy aiming to compete with LIV Golf.
Despite potential risks of recurring pain that previously plagued him, as Woods confided to Golfweek in December 2023 regarding his challenges during competitions, fans remain optimistic about his recovery and presence at the Hero World Challenge come December.
Woods bluntly described the pain endured from last year’s competitions with a single word, “Everywhere,” when pressed about where he felt soreness. He further explained: “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.”
Despite dealing with discomfort during the Hero World Challenge in 2023, Woods maintained optimism about participating in at least one tournament each month throughout 2024. However, his plans hit a snag in July when he announced he would take the rest of the year off for recovery, admitting his initial schedule was perhaps overambitious.
Reflecting on the challenges, Woods admitted, “I thought I could play a little bit more earlier in the year. I think I was a little bit too optimistic,” He ruefully added, “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.”
