Tiger Woods withdraws from Hero World Challenge after suffering foot injury

Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week’s Hero World Challenge due to injury.

Woods, who serves as host for the 20-player exhibition event, announced via social media on Monday that he has developed plantar fasciitis in his right foot. “After consulting with my doctors and trainers, I have decided to withdraw this week and focus on my hosting duties,” Woods said in a statement.

Despite the ailment, Woods said he still plans on competing in the latest installment of “The Match” with Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on Dec. 10, along with playing with his son Charlie at the PNC Championship the following week.

The Hero World Challenge was supposed to mark Woods’ return to competition since his possible goodbye to St. Andrews at this year’s Open Championship in July. Woods, 46, has played just three times in 2022, highlighted by making the weekend at both the Masters and PGA Championship, as he continues to recover from injuries suffered in a car accident in February 2021. Since the crash, Woods has had multiple surgeries to rebuild his right leg and has said that he'll never be able to play a full schedule on the PGA Tour because of on-going pain.

Sixteen of the top 20 players in the world will attend Woods’ charity event in the Bahamas. That group includes defending Hero champion Viktor Hovland, World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Thomas and Spieth.