Hero World Challenge Field Set; Tiger Woods Spot Open
By Staff Writer
2 min read
Key takeaways
- The Hero World Challenge announced 17 of 20 field spots, leaving three "TBA tournament exemptions" open.
- Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young lead a field with seven of the world's top 10 players.
- Tournament host Tiger Woods is not yet in the field and last played the event in 2023.
- Woods pleaded no contest to a reduced reckless driving charge this fall after a March DUI arrest.
- The event is played Dec. 3-6 at Albany in the Bahamas.
The Hero World Challenge announced 17 of its 20 field spots Monday, leaving three exemption slots open and host Tiger Woods out of the field for now. Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young headline the Dec. 3-6 event at Albany in the Bahamas.
Why isn't Tiger Woods in the field yet?
The tournament left three spots as "TBA tournament exemptions," a typical practice that also gives Woods room to add himself later without bumping another player. Woods has used that route to play his own event before, though other years he has passed on it. He last played the Hero in 2023.
Woods has not competed on the PGA Tour since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship. He ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025 and had a back disc replacement that October. He played one TGL match in March 2026, then was arrested on suspicion of DUI days later following a rollover car crash and stepped away from golf. He pleaded no contest to a reduced reckless driving charge this fall. Woods has not announced a return date but is listed on the roster for TGL's third season, captaining Jupiter Links Golf Club.
| Player | World Ranking |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | 1 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 3 |
| Cameron Young | 4 |
| Chris Gotterup | 6 |
| Russell Henley | 8 |
| Xander Schauffele | 9 |
| Sam Burns | 10 |
| J.J. Spaun | 12 |
| Si Woo Kim | 14 |
| Jacob Bridgeman | 16 |
| Robert MacIntyre | 18 |
| Ryan Gerard | 23 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 25 |
| Justin Thomas | 29 |
| Tom Kim | 31 |
| Akshay Bhatia | 35 |
| Sepp Straka | 37 |
If Woods does play, it would likely be on a limited schedule similar to 2024, when he teed it up at all four majors plus the Genesis Invitational, where he also serves as host. The Hero's easy-walking course and low-stress field size have made it a common re-entry point for him in the past.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Hero World Challenge?
The tournament is played Dec. 3-6 at Albany in the Bahamas.
Is Tiger Woods playing in the 2026 Hero World Challenge?
Woods was not among the 17 players announced for the field. Three exemption spots remain open, which he could still claim.
When did Tiger Woods last play the Hero World Challenge?
Woods last played his own event in 2023.
- Hero World Challenge
- Tiger Woods
- Scottie Scheffler
- Albany Bahamas
- PGA Tour
