Tiger Woods opts not to play Hero World Challenge: 15-time major winner hosts event annually in the Bahamas

Woods will continue to rest as everyone awaits his return to competitive golf

Tiger Woods will not play in the 2024 Hero World Challenge, the 15-time major winner announced Monday on social media. The tournament, hosted annually by Woods, takes place Dec 5-8 at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. While there was a spot for him in the 20-man field, the 48-year-old has chosen to forgo what would have been his first competitive start since The Open and first since undergoing a sixth back surgery in September.

"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," Woods said at the time. "I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf."

In recent years, this has been the time during which Tiger has emerged from his hibernation. Playing with his son, Charlie, at the PNC Championship the last four years, Woods added a stop at the Hero World Challenge in 2023 as he eyed a busier playing schedule for the upcoming PGA Tour season.