Tiger commits to play Hero, first start since Masters WD

Tiger Woods makes long-awaited competitive golf comeback

After months of speculation, golf legend Tiger Woods has officially announced his return to the sport at the upcoming Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. This will mark his first competitive action since his withdrawal from the third round of the Masters earlier this year, and subsequent surgery on his right ankle.

Woods will join the 20-man field, which now includes additions Justin Rose and Lucas Glover, while previous commits Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are no longer listed to compete. The highly-anticipated event is set to take place from November 30 to December 3 at Albany.

It has been a while since Woods last competed in the Hero World Challenge, with his last appearance resulting in a commendable solo-fourth finish in 2019. He was forced to withdraw from the event last year due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Despite facing various injuries and health challenges, including a major car accident in 2021, Woods made a comeback at the 2022 Masters where he finished 47th. However, he has since struggled due to persistent issues with mobility.

After undergoing surgery to address the pain in his ankle, Woods revealed to The Associated Press that the procedure was successful in alleviating the discomfort in that region. However, he admitted that other areas of his body are still causing him problems, complicating his recovery process.

Following a recent caddying stint for his son in a junior event, Woods expressed feeling sore and highlighted the challenges posed by certain terrains. Despite the setbacks, fans are eagerly anticipating his return to the competitive circuit and are hopeful for his swift recovery.