Tiger Woods provides shaky health update ahead of Hero World Challenge

After having another back surgery in September, Tiger Woods is not among the 20-man field at the Hero World Challenge this week.

But instead of injecting optimism into the golf world about his playing prospects in the future and saying that he can win again, Woods sounded rather pessimistic about his health overall Tuesday—a far cry from his demeanor one year ago when he said he could play “once per month” throughout the 2024 season.

He also provided more detail on why he had surgery again three months ago. He admitted that his back gave out on him earlier this year, which became “pretty painful” as the season wore on. He explained how these latest back troubles stemmed from the leg injury that he sustained in a 2021 car accident. He said the procedure “helped” but insisted that he was not ready to play this week.

“I’m not tournament sharp yet. I’m still not there,” Woods said.

“These are 20 of the best players in the world, and I’m not sharp enough to compete against them at this level. When I’m ready to compete and play at this level, then I will.”

Woods added that he has “no idea” when he will play next. However, he did not rule out the possibility of teeing it up in the PNC Championship in two weeks. But he can use a golf cart and rely on his son Charlie during that event. Regardless, who knows if Woods will play in the Genesis Invitational in February or even be ready for the 2025 Masters at Augusta National in April.

But all of this does not diminish the fact that Woods still wants to compete. The problem is that he will turn 49 years old on December 30.

“The fire still burns to compete,” Woods added.

“The difference is the recovery of the body is not what it used to be. I still love doing it. I love competing. I love competing at anything, whether we’re playing cards or playing golf. No matter what it is, I love competing. That’s never going to leave. But as far as the recovery process, and doing it again, again, and again, and doing it consistently at a high level, I can’t... the body just won’t recover like it used to. And that’s a part of age.”

Unfortunately, Father Time remains undefeated, and the sense in the Bahamas on Tuesday is that Woods has come to accept that reality. Who knows when the golfing world will see him play again, let alone at the highest level.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.