Woods "Will Not Participate in Hero World Challenge"... What About Kim Joo-hyung?

Woods Withdraws Due to Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis
World Stars Including Scheffler, Rahm, Thomas, Spieth to Participate
Hovland Defends Title, Korean Players Kim Juhyung and Im Sungjae Invited

Tiger Woods will withdraw from the Hero World Challenge, which he hosts, due to plantar fasciitis.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) has been sidelined by injury.

On the 28th (local time), Woods announced via social media (SNS), "I was preparing for this week's Hero World Challenge, but I developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot," and "After consulting with doctors and trainers, I decided to withdraw from the tournament." Woods was scheduled to compete in the prestigious event Hero World Challenge (total prize money $3.5 million), held over four days starting December 1 (local time) at Albany Golf Course in the Bahamas (par 72, 7,414 yards).

The Hero World Challenge is a stage where Woods serves as the host. Although it is not a regular PGA Tour event, the winner's prize is a whopping $1 million (1.34 billion KRW), and world ranking points are also at stake. This is why world stars such as Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth (all USA), and Jon Rahm (Spain) have all gathered.

The last time Woods directly participated in the Hero World Challenge was in 2019. The tournament was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19, and last year he missed it due to aftereffects of a traffic accident.

In February last year, Woods was seriously injured in a car accident in Los Angeles (LA) County, California, USA, breaking both legs. After lying in bed for three months, he continued treatment and rehabilitation, and made his comeback in April at the Masters, his first tournament in 1 year and 5 months. Woods then appeared three times only in major tournaments?the PGA Championship in May and The Open in July?before taking a rest.

It is the title defense for 'Taekwondo Boy' Viktor Hovland (Norway). He is recalling the thrilling memory of a comeback victory with a 6-under par on the final day last year. Hovland is the 'first Norwegian PGA champion.' He is widely known among domestic fans as a Taekwondo black belt. He has accumulated three wins on the PGA Tour.

Kim Joo-hyung has been invited by Tiger Woods to participate in the Hero World Challenge.

Korea's 'PGA hot card' Kim Joo-hyung (20) received an invitation. He is ranked 15th in the world after winning the Wyndham Championship in August and the Shriners Children's Open in October. He set a milestone as the youngest PGA two-time champion (20 years and 3 months). After finishing tied for 4th at the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) Dunlop Phoenix Tournament on the 20th, Kim boarded a flight to the United States. Kim expressed his joy, saying, "It is an honor to be invited by Woods." Im Sung-jae (24), last year's FedEx Cup runner-up and ranked 21st in the world, also joined. Im adjusted his condition at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, before moving to the battleground.