Tournament host Tiger Woods will not compete in the Dec. 4-7 Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, according to the final player field released Wednesday.
When the initial field was announced three weeks ago, there was hope Woods would be added later as one of three exemption spots, but he since has undergone lumbar disc replacement surgery and his return date is unknown.
The 15-time major champion has not competed since he missed the British Open cut in July 2024 and also had surgery in March to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
According to organizers of the Hero World Challenge, a charity event that benefits Woods’ foundation, the final three players who will round out the 20-player field are Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel and Akshay Bhatia.
Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler and 2016 winner Hideki Matsuyama of Japan previously were announced as being among those who had committed to the event.
