Woods' Return to the Field Uncertain: "Recovery Is Not Progressing Quickly"

Attends Official Press Conference for Hero World Challenge
Focusing on Rehabilitation After October Back Surgery, Begins Chipping and Putting
"Says Participation in This Month's PNC Championship Will Be Difficult"

The "golf emperor" Tiger Woods (USA) is expected to delay his return to the field.

On December 2 (local time), Woods attended the official press conference for the Hero World Challenge, a premier event on the PGA Tour held in the Bahamas, and spoke about his physical condition. Woods said cautiously, "My recovery is not progressing as quickly as I thought," adding, "I think I’ll only know when I can return to competition after I properly start playing golf again."

Tiger Woods, who underwent back surgery last October, is expected to delay his return to the field. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Since undergoing back surgery last October, Woods has been focusing on rehabilitation. As he has not fully recovered from his injury, he will not be able to compete in the Hero World Challenge, which is hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation. He has not played in an official tournament since The Open in July 2024. He has only participated in the PNC Championship, which is an exhibition event, and the TGL screen golf tournament.

Joking that he would "play in 25 tournaments each on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour next year," Woods revealed, "I started practicing chip shots and putting last week." He added, "I've also begun some strength training in the gym and have been able to do rotational exercises that I couldn't do before," but noted, "It will be difficult for me to play in the PNC Championship scheduled for this month." The Associated Press highlighted, "This is the first year since 1992 that Woods has not played in a single PGA Tour-sanctioned event."

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