Tiger Woods absent from initial Hero World Challenge field as comeback remains uncertain

However, the 50-year-old could still feature if selected for one of the three remaining exemption spots.

The 15-time major champion has not played in an official tournament since missing the cut at The Open at Royal Troon in July 2024.

A return to competition in 2026 appeared possible after Woods spoke about the prospect of playing at the Masters earlier this year.

However, those hopes were complicated by his arrest on March 27 following a vehicle crash on Jupiter Island, Florida.

Last month, Woods agreed to a five-year suspension of his driver's licence as part of a deal with prosecutors following the crash.

Woods returned to the driving range at a charity event last month, where he was filmed hitting golf balls in footage that quickly circulated among fans.

World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Hideki Matsuyama headline the 17 players who have committed to the 20-man field for the Hero World Challenge.

Scheffler, who claimed consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024, and Matsuyama will both be aiming to become the tournament's first three-time winner at Albany.

Seven of the world's top 10 players are included in the announced field, with Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick, Russell Henley, Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele joining Scheffler.

The remaining places in the field will be confirmed at a later date.