Golf

Tiger Woods confirms return to competitive action in November

14-time Major winner to play in Hero World Challenge after nine-month absence

Tiger Woods will play in the Hero World Challenge on November 30th. Photograph: Brian Spurlock/Reuters

Tue Oct 31 2017 - 08:07

Tiger Woods is to play his first tournament in nine months after selecting himself for the Hero World Challenge at the end of November.

The 14-time major winner, who hosts the tournament in the Bahamas, is to return following back surgery which has kept him out of competitive action since he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic at the start of February.

Woods underwent a fourth back operation in three years in April and earlier this month the 41-year-old's agent Mark Steinberg said he had been cleared to resume full golf activity following a check-up with his surgeon.

Woods announced his participation in his own tournament with a post on Twitter which read: "I'd like to thank the committee of 1 for picking myself and Daniel Berger to play in this years #HeroWorldChallenge."

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In a statement on his official website Woods was quoted as saying: “I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge.

“Albany is the perfect setting and it will be great to join this outstanding field. I want to thank Pawan Munjal and Hero MotoCorp for their continued support of this tournament and my foundation. I would also like to thank the fans for their unwavering support during my injury.”

Woods, whose TGR Live organisation manages the Hero World Challenge, is joined in the field of 18 by Berger who won his second PGA tournament this year and represented the United States in the Presidents Cup.

The field also includes the world's current top four ranked players — Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas.

Woods was last week placed on probation for a year after pleading guilty to reckless driving.

He was also ordered to undergo a diversion programme after being found by police officers passed out in his car with prescription drugs in his system on May 29th.

Woods appeared at Palm Beach County Courthouse on October 27th where he was fined $250, ordered to pay $250 dollars to Palm Beach County Victim Services, told to attend a driving under the influence school and complete 50 hours’ community service.

The Hero World Challenge runs from November 30th to December 3rd.

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