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Tiger Woods announced Monday that he will not participate in next week’s Hero World Challenge tournament in the Bahamas, after the 15-time major winner underwent back surgery in September.
Woods said fellow Americans Justin Thomas and Nick Dunlap and Australian Jason Day were the final competitors in the 20-player event, scheduled for Dec. 5-8 at the Albany Golf Course.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to compete in the Hero World Challenge this year, but I’m still looking forward to hosting the tournament and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp,” Woods posted on X.
Woods, a five-time World Challenge winner, hosts the annual event but has played only once in the past three years due to health problems.
He underwent the sixth back surgery of his career in September in hopes of relieving the back spasms and pain he experienced during starts in 2024, the most recent of which was at the British Open in July at Royal Troon.
Woods, whose 82 PGA Tour wins are tied with Sam Snead for the all-time record, has made just 10 official starts since a 2021 car crash that caused serious leg injuries.
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion.
It will be the first time in this event for Dunlap, 20, who became the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour event when he captured the American Express title in January.
Dunlap then joined the PGA Tour and won his second title last July at the Barracuda Championship, becoming the first PGA player to win as a pro and amateur in the same season.
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