Field Announced For Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Tiger Woods has announced the world-class field for his upcoming Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. The participation of Woods himself, however, remains uncertain.

In his announcement on Monday, Woods revealed that 19 players have been confirmed for the 20-man field at Albany Golf Club in early December. This includes every eligible member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, as well as two players who were not selected for the team.

Notably absent from the list is Brooks Koepka. Due to his involvement in the rival Saudi-funded LIV Golf League, Koepka is currently suspended from the PGA Tour, which sanctions the Hero World Challenge. Despite being a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup, he will not be able to participate.

Woods, who last played competitively at the Masters before withdrawing due to injury, has been recovering from ankle surgery following a car accident in February 2021. However, he was recently spotted hitting wedges during a foundation event at Pebble Beach, indicating his potential readiness to compete.

Among the players confirmed for the event is Viktor Hovland, the two-time defending champion in the Bahamas. He is joined by two other members of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team in Rome.

The strength of the field is further underscored by the inclusion of Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas, who received sponsor exemptions. Both players rank within the top 25 in the world, meeting the criteria for exemption, which requires being in the top 50. This exemption rule also allows one to be used by the tournament host, which would apply to Woods if necessary.