by Herschel Caldwell 
Tiger Woods is included in the 18-man field for next month’s Hero World Challenge, lending further confirmation that he is on track to make his first competitive start in 16 months.
Woods has not played since the 2015 Wyndham Championship because of multiple back surgeries. He committed to play last month at the season-opening Safeway Open, but abruptly withdrew days after offering his formal commitment.
Woods cited a “vulnerable” golf game as the reason behind his withdrawal, but indicated that he still planned to play in the Bahamas – plans he re-affirmed Tuesday. Woods, whose charitable foundation operates the tournament, hasn’t played the event since it was staged at Isleworth Golf Club in Orlando, Fla., in 2014.
“I am excited to make my return at the Hero World Challenge at Albany and play in this terrific tournament,” Woods said in a release. “This is our 18th year, and every year we put together a top field that showcases the best golfers from the previous season.”
Joining Woods in the field for the Dec. 1-4 event will be defending champ Bubba Watson and current major champions Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Jimmy Walker. Jordan Spieth, who won the event in 2014, will also return.
Rounding out the field will be Patrick Reed, Hideki Matsuyama, Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose, Matt Kuchar, Russell Knox, Brandt Snedeker, Brooks Koepka, Louis Oosthuizen, J.B. Holmes, Emiliano Grillo and Zach Johnson.
The field includes the defending champion, the reigning major winners, two tournament exemptions and the top players available from the world rankings on Sept. 26. This year’s exemptions were offered to Woods and Zach Johnson.
The Hero World Challenge has a longstanding history of exciting golf featuring an exclusive field of 18 of the world’s best PGA TOUR players, all vying for the $3.5 million purse and the Hero World Challenge trophy.
In what originally was founded in Southern California, the Hero World Challenge moved to Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Windermere, Florida, in 2014 after the Tiger Woods Foundation and Tavistock Group joined forces to write a new chapter in the tournament’s history. The 2015 Hero World Challenge was the first event to be held outside of the United States, and will be held at Albany once again in 2016.
Attracting the best in golf, business and philanthropy, the Hero World Challenge is a driving force of philanthropic support for the Tiger Woods Foundation, Tavistock Foundation and the Albany Scholars Program. The Hero World Challenge promises to showcase an unforgettable experience for all.
Past champions include host and five-time champion Tiger Woods, defending champion Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson and Jim Furyk.
