Golf: Woods to return at Hero World Challenge

WASHINGTON – Tiger Woods said on Wednesday he would be returning to action at the Hero World Challenge in what will be the golf great’s first tournament since the British Open in July.

The 15-time Major champion posted a Twitter message confirming his involvement in the 20-man tournament, where he is the host, at the Albany course in the Bahamas, from Dec 1-4.

Woods, a five-time winner of the event, is joined by American compatriot Kevin Kisner and England’s Tommy Fleetwood in completing the field.

It includes seven top-10 players, led by Masters winner and world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler.

“I am excited to announce that I will be in the field for this year’s #HeroWorldChallenge,” Woods said. “A big welcome to @K_Kisner and @TommyFleetwood1 for joining us as well. See you soon at Albany!”

This week has seen Woods caddying for son Charlie and he recently said he intended to take part in “The Match”, a 12-hole exhibition with Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas on Dec 10 in what could be a busy finish to a restricted 2022 schedule following his recovery from a career-threatening car crash.

The exhibition is set for the weekend before the PNC Championship in Orlando.

Woods missed the cut at this year’s British Open at St Andrews, having twice won the sport’s oldest Major at the Scottish course in 2000 and 2005.

The 46-year-old, whose tally of 82 PGA Tour wins is the joint-record with Sam Snead, has appeared in just three professional tournaments this year, all of them Majors.

Woods, who needed screws and metal rods to hold together his shattered right leg, made his return at the 2022 Masters, 14 months after the February 2021 accident.

He finished 47th at Augusta but achieved a victory of sorts simply by walking 72 holes over the difficult layout. He then withdrew from the PGA Championship after 54 holes, struggling with stamina issues after making the cut. AFP