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Tiger Woods will attend the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas next month, but he has not committed to playing the event he hosts. Woods discussed his health and plans in a SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio interview that aired Tuesday.
“I’m feeling better. No doubt about that. I’ve been training quite a bit,” Woods said.
The Hero runs Dec. 3-6 at Albany. When the PGA Tour named 17 players for the field on Oct. 19, it held three spots for exemptions, and Woods was not on the list. He has not formally committed to playing, ESPN reported.
“I’m there either way, so I’ll see you there,” Woods explained.
Woods, 50, has won 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour events. He has not made a PGA Tour start since missing the cut at the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon. The update came more than seven months after Woods announced on March 31 that he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment and focus on his health.
Tiger Woods Stepped Away From Golf In March To Seek Treatment
Woods last competed March 24 at the TGL finals in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The Jupiter Links Golf Club captain had not played a TGL match all season but replaced Kevin Kisner for the second match of the best-of-three series against Los Angeles Golf Club, according to the PGA Tour.
“I’ve been a cheerleader all these matches, and I want to contribute,” Woods said before the match, Field Level Media reported.
Los Angeles won 9-2 to take the SoFi Cup, the AP reported. It was Woods’ first competition in more than a year. He had ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025, Australian Golf Digest reported.
After disc replacement surgery in October 2025, Woods had been working toward a PGA Tour return and aiming for the Masters. On March 27, he crashed his vehicle on Jupiter Island, Fla., and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. No one was injured. Four days later, he announced in a statement posted to social media that he was stepping away.
“I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health,” Woods said in the statement.
He wrote that the step was necessary for him to prioritize his well-being and “work toward lasting recovery.” He was not expected to play the Masters the following week, the PGA Tour reported.
On Sept. 2, Woods pleaded no contest in Martin County to reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Prosecutors dropped the DUI charge as part of the plea agreement, and his driver’s license was suspended for five years, WPTV reported.
Hero World Challenge Field Has Three Exemptions Open
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who won at Albany in 2023 and 2024, and defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, who won there in 2016 and 2025, lead the announced field. Either would become the first three-time winner at Albany, the PGA Tour said. Seven of the world’s top 10 players have entered. Woods last played the Hero in 2023.
Woods might also play the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie Woods, on Dec. 17-20 in Orlando, Fla., where he would be allowed a cart in the 36-hole, two-person scramble. He is expected to play in Jupiter Links’ TGL season opener Dec. 27 if he has no further physical setbacks, sources told ESPN in October.
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