- Tiger Woods has not played competitively since withdrawing from the Masters
- The ‘final tournament exemption will be announced at a later date’
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Tiger Woods has seemingly left the door open for a return to the golf course ahead of his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Woods, 47, once again unveiled a world-class field for the event he is hosting, although it is yet to be determined whether or not he will be part of it.
On Monday, Woods announced 19 players in the 20-man field for the tournament in the Bahamas, which starts on November 30.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is one of 11 members of the US Ryder Cup team to play, with defending champion Viktor Hovland among the victorious European teams in the field. One notable name missing from the field is Brooks Koepka.
However, one open spot remains, with “the final tournament exemption to be announced at a later date,” prompting speculation that it could be Woods.
Tiger Woods has left the door open for a possible return to play at the Hero World Challenge
Brooks Koepka was perhaps the most notable name left out of the field for the event
Woods has not played competitively since withdrawing from the Masters with a foot injury
Woods has not played competitively since withdrawing from the Masters after making the cut.
A short time afterward, he had surgery on his ankle for injuries related to his 2021 car accident, though he hit wedges during a foundation event at Pebble Beach last week.
Sponsorship exemptions were granted to Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas. Both are among the top 25 in the world rankings, which illustrates the strength of the field.
Players must be among the top 50 to receive an exemption, part of the provision for the unofficial event to gain world rankings points.
The criteria allows an exemption to be used for the tournament host – Woods – if he needs one.