Tiger Woods tipped to play in Hero World Challenge, but his friend says it could come with a twist

ByAlex Livie

Published 08/10/2022 at 14:00 GMT

Tiger Woods is still the biggest ticket in golf, despite his advancing years and his struggles with injury. A serious leg injury has restricted him to only three appearances in 2022, and it is not clear when he will be back in action again. Woods has ruled out retirement, and a friend of the former world No. 1 feels he will tee it up at the Hero World Challenge.

Tiger Woods could be in action at the Hero World Challenge in December, a close friend of the 15-time major winner has said.

Woods has made only three appearances in 2022, all in major championships, as he continues to struggle with the leg injury he suffered in a car crash in 2021.

His movement was impaired at the Masters, PGA Championship and Open Championship - with his performances getting progressively worse despite Woods saying his fitness was improving.

Masters

Woods breaks Masters record with 24th consecutive cut at Augusta National

13/04/2024 at 08:46

Woods said after the Open at St Andrews that he was not sure when he would play again, but that he had no intention of retiring.

It was suggested in July that Woods could next tee it up again at the Hero World Challenge, an event he hosts, in the Bahamas in early December.

Woods revealed 17 of the 20-player field for the Hero World Challenge earlier this week, with three spots still to be claimed.

• 'I wish they could play' - Rahm wants LIV Golf players to compete at Ryder Cup
• Woods will be a part of US Ryder Cup team 'in some capacity' confirms Johnson

One of those slots could be for Woods, and his college friend Notah Begay feels that could happen. But the former multiple PGA Tour winner feels it could be with a caveat of the 46-year-old using a cart exemption.

“We may see a last-minute introduction of a cart rule, that would be great,” Begay said. “It will just be another chance for us to see how far he’s come.”

"I expect us to be underdogs' - Donald on Europe's Ryder Cup chances in Rome

Woods has the option to request a cart to play on the PGA Tour, but he has always maintained he would not disrespect the game by doing that.

Although the Hero World Challenge carries world ranking points, it is not a regular PGA Tour event - leaving things open for Woods to use a cart.

Begay feels none of the other players would have an issue with Woods using a buggy.

“With everything that’s gone on and how he’s really stood up on behalf of the players and the Tour, I don’t think we would begrudge him a whole lot of anything these days,” Begay said.

Golf

Tiger's brief return, Spieth succumbs to 'dumbest' rule - What we learned from Genesis Invitational

19/02/2024 at 20:05

The Genesis Invitational

Woods withdraws with illness mid-round during PGA Tour comeback

17/02/2024 at 10:23

Golf

Woods: PGA Tour no longer needs Saudi-backed PIF to succeed

15/02/2024 at 17:28