Tiger Woods once again sparked concern among golf fans last week when he opted not to play in the Hero World Challenge.
The golf legend, who has not played since being knocked out of the Open Championship at Royal Troon and subsequently undergoing microdecompression surgery for a pinched nerve in his lower back in September, was “disappointed” to announce that I couldn’t compete.
Tournament host Woods was not in the initial field of players last month but was expected to fill one of three exemption spots for the competition, an unofficial event featuring 20 of the world’s best players.
After raising concerns about his health, which has plagued his playing career for years, Woods was on hand in the Bahamas to provide an update on his future.
‘No. Not really,” admitted the winner of 15 major tournaments when asked if he was aiming to return to the field.
‘I’m just trying to test it progressively, keep progressing without activating it. I don’t want to have any setbacks, I just want to keep progressing and have the best possible opportunity for next year.
Tiger Woods provided an update on his future after opting out of the Hero World Challenge.
The golf legend has not played since missing the cut at the Open Championship in July.
“I feel like I’m getting stronger, more flexible, but I have a long way to go to be able to compete against these guys.”
“I’m not ready for the tournament yet,” he added. ‘I’m not there yet. These are 20 of the best players in the world and I’m not strong enough to compete against them at this level. So when I’m ready to compete and play at this level, I will.”
Woods confessed that his back gave out at the beginning of this year, getting progressively worse as time went by.
“I didn’t think my back was going to go like it did this year,” Woods said. ‘It was quite painful towards the end of the year and so I had another procedure done to relieve the pain I had in my leg.
“So if my commitment in the future will be once a month, yes, I could say it again, but I really don’t know.” “I’m just trying to rehab and continue to get stronger and better and feel better, really give myself the best chance I can going into next year.”
Woods played five tournaments in 2024, finishing 60th at the Masters and missing the cut at the other three majors, after committing to playing one event a month at last year’s Hero World Challenge.
He opened his 2024 campaign in mid-February at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, where he had to withdraw just six holes into the second round due to illness.
But the 2025 tournament, which is scheduled to take place in the equivalent week, could be in doubt for Woods after his latest update, suggesting a return to Augusta National could be a more likely option.
It remains to be seen if the 48-year-old will play in the PNC championship with his son Charlie.
However, he did not rule out the possibility of continuing the tradition of playing alongside his son Charlie in the PNC Championship in two weeks. Woods is allowed to use a golf cart at the Better Ball parent-child charity event.
Despite staying off the streets, Woods’ competitive drive has not been diminished.
“The fire is still burning to compete,” Woods said, (but) “the difference is the body’s recovery is not what it used to be.”
“The body just doesn’t recover like it used to, that’s part of age, part of an athlete’s journey.”
Fans are guaranteed to get a glimpse of the icon in the New Year when TGL, his venture with Rory McIlroy, finally launches.
Woods told Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig that he should be ready for the league’s debut in January, but admitted that if he were to release now “it would be difficult” to play.
Woods is set to play in the inaugural season of the Tech League with his team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, which consists of Max Homa, Tom Kim and Kevin Kisner along with the captain, on January 14.