Hero World Challenge field released. But will Tiger Woods play?

For the third straight year, Tiger Woods might be a game-time decision for his Hero World Challenge.

The star-studded field for Woods’ Bahamas event was released on Wednesday, with 17 of 20 spots filled by some of the biggest names in golf.

The committed players are all currently ranked in the top 26 in the Official World Golf Ranking, and the list includes top-15 ranked players in World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Cantlay, Keegan Bradley, Sahith Theegala and Russell Henley.

Rounding out the field is Robert MacIntyre, Sam Burns, Brian Harman, Sungjae Im, Tony Finau, Tom Kim, Aaron Rai, Billy Horschel and Matthieu Pavon.

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Notably, there are three “TBA tournament exemption” spots still to be filled, and in recent years one of those has been used for the 15-time major-winning host.

Two years ago, Woods kept that spot open in hopes he would be able to play following his February 2021 car accident (Woods committed to play, but plantar fasciitis eventually led to his withdrawal on tournament week). Last year, Woods was a late addition to the field coming off a subtalar fusion surgery to stabilize an ankle injured in the aforementioned crash (he finished 18th out of 20).

The same last-minute decision might be made this year following Woods’ latest procedure. On Sept. 13, Woods’ team issued a statement that he underwent successful “microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine for nerve impingement in the lower back.”

“The surgery went smoothly, and I’m hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season,” Woods said in the statement. “I look forward to tackling this rehab and preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf.”

Wednesday’s press release did not provide an update on Woods’ health, and he’s made no previous mention regarding when he’s targeting to return. (Woods’ camp has not immediately responded to GOLF.com’s request for comment.)

While the precise details of Woods’ surgery are unclear, this type of surgery is less invasive than some of the other procedures he’s had. Typical recovery time to resume full-time activities can be as early as seven weeks or perhaps as late as 12. The Hero is three months after the surgery.

Besides the Hero, which is Dec. 5-8 at Albany Resort in the Bahamas, Woods has also played the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie, the past four years in the middle of December.

Woods competed in five tournaments in 2024, withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational (where he’s also the tournament host) due to illness and missing the cut in three of four majors. He made the cut at the Masters but shot 82-77 over the weekend to finish 60th.