Tiger Woods to play in Bahamas, first event since the Masters
Fifteen-time major champion Tiger Woods has announced his return to competitive golf after a long hiatus. Woods revealed on Saturday that he plans to compete in the Hero World Challenge, an event he hosts in the Bahamas from November 30 to December 3.
This will mark Woods’ first start since he withdrew during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in April. Following the Masters, he underwent subtalar fusion surgery on his right ankle to address post-traumatic arthritis resulting from injuries sustained in a car accident in February 2021.
Speaking to the Associated Press earlier this month, Woods expressed confidence in his recovery, stating, “My ankle is fine. Where they fused my ankle, I have absolutely zero issue whatsoever. That pain is completely gone. It’s the other areas that have been compensated for.”
Since the accident, Woods has participated in only five PGA Tour tournaments. In the previous season, he finished tied for 45th at The Genesis in February and carded 74-73 at the Masters.
Currently ranked 1,307th in the Official World Golf Ranking, Woods’ inactivity over the past few years has contributed to his worst-ever ranking as a professional golfer.
Woods’ TGR Live Events also announced that Lucas Glover and Justin Rose will be joining the 20-man field for the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas. However, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will no longer be participating in the event.
This will be Woods’ first appearance in the Hero World Challenge since finishing fourth in 2019. He was scheduled to play last year but had to withdraw due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Prior to his return to competitive golf, Woods recently caddied for his son, Charlie, at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship in Louisiana. He walked and carried his bag for 54 holes, showcasing his continued involvement in the sport.