World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to defend his title at the Hero World Challenge in December as the tournament announced 17 competitors in the 20-man field. No word on whether tournament host Tiger Woods will compete and start his latest comeback from his latest surgery.

Following another back operation, Tiger Woods is not among the initial field at the Hero World Challenge in December.

As has been the case for the last few years, Woods’ participation is contingent upon his health. Woods, 48, underwent micro-decompression surgery of the lumbar spine on Sept. 13 in West Palm Beach, Fla., to correct a nerve impingement in his lower back. He wrote on X that the surgery, the sixth he has undergone on his back, was successful.

Tournament host Tiger Woods was not listed in the initial player field released on Tuesday for the Dec. 5-8 Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas but could still be added as one of the three exemption spots.

Scottie Scheffler is set to defend his Hero World Challenge title. Scheffler, the world No. 1 who won by three shots at Albany last December, highlighted Tuesday’s initial field announcement, which included 17 players and three spots to be determined.

World No. 1 golfer and defending champion Scottie Scheffler headlines the initial player line-up for the Hero World Challenge to be held here from December 5-8.

Tournament host Tiger Woods was not listed in the initial player field released on Tuesday for the Dec. 5-8 Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas but could still be added as one of the three exemption spots.