Tiger Woods will make his long-awaited return from injury at next month’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, the former world number one confirmed in a statement
yesterday.
Woods jolted the golf world last month after aborting his planned comeback at the Safeway Open in California, sparking fresh uncertainty about his career after a 16-month layoff. However the 40-year-old 14-time major winner said he would now be ready to host and play in his December 1-4 tournament at Albany in the Bahamas.
“I am excited to make my return at the Hero World Challenge at Albany and play in this terrific tournament,” Woods said. Woods had already hoped to play in the Bahamas despite the concerns over his form, which prompted him to withdraw from the Safeway in Napa.
The 18-player Hero World Challenge is owned by his charity foundation. Woods, who has won the tournament five times before, made a similar return from injury at the event in 2014. Woods told US television late night host Stephen Colbert last month his game has shown signs of improvement since his recovery from two separate operations on his back in 2015.
“I’m not quite there, where I feel like I can shoot 63s and 64s in tournaments,” Woods said. “I’m shooting the low rounds at home. But I just don’t quite feel quite as ready to shoot those type scores under tournament conditions.”
Woods has won 79 US PGA titles, three shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record, and is four shy of the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus. Woods was a vice captain for the triumphant US Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine in October. He has been named an assistant captain to Steve Stricker for next year’s Presidents Cup. The Hero World Challenge field features the cream of world golf, with the four reigning major champions, the top 11 players available from the world rankings along with the defending champion and two special-exemption players.

Harrington questions
Turkish Open withdrawals
Players who pulled out of this week’s Turkish Airlines Open because of security concerns may have over-reacted, says three-time major winner Padraig Harrington. World number three Rory McIlroy withdrew following last month’s missile attacks in the Antalya region, which hosts the tournament. It will feature only three of the top 10 players in the Race to Dubai. “There’s a lot of scaremongering,” said 45-year-old Irishman. “They have to put more security in and pay attention, but is it more dangerous here than anywhere else? I’m not sure.”
The leading 70 players in the Race to Dubai were eligible for the Turkish Airlines Open starting tomorrow, but the withdrawals mean the field goes down as far as Sweden’s Pelle Edberg, who is ranked 102nd.
Harrington, who is 43rd in the standings, said he encountered no problems when he played at the 2016 Rio Olympics, amid fears of the Zika virus, and in Northern Ireland, during the Troubles. Englishmen Danny Willett, Tyrrell Hatton and Lee Westwood are the only players in the top 10 who will play at the Regnum Carya Resort. Second-placed Willett, the Masters champion, will regain top spot from Sweden’s Henrik Stenson by finishing outright fifth or higher.