Tiger Woods Won't Compete in 2024 Hero World Challenge Amid Back Injury Rehab

Tiger Woods won't be able to play in his own tournament next month as he continues to battle his way back from injury.

Woods announced on Monday that he's "disappointed" that he won't be able to participate in the Hero World Challenge, which he is hosting at Albany Golf Course in the Bahamas from Dec. 5-8.

Woods announced in September that he underwent microdecompression surgery of the lumbar spine to address a nerve impingement in his lower back. He said at the time that he was "hopeful this will help alleviate the back spasms and pain I was experiencing throughout most of the 2024 season" and looking forward to "preparing myself to get back to normal life activities, including golf."

The Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland in July was Woods' last start of the 2024 season. After missing the cut, he said he planned on returning for the Hero World Challenge and announced his intentions to play alongside his son Charlie at the PNC Championship on Dec. 19-22. Unfortunately, he could be in jeopardy of missing that event as well.

Woods has undergone six publicly announced back surgeries since 2021, the same year of his devastating car accident. The 15-time major champion has not been the same since, but he's yet to reveal his plans for the end of his career.

Without Woods, the Hero World Challenge still has a lot of star power. Scottie Scheffler will be looking to defend his title after winning the 2023 tournament by three strokes.