Woods announces comeback date

Tiger Woods is to play his first tournament in nine months after selecting himself for the Hero World Challenge next month.

The 14-time major winner, who hosts the tournament in the Bahamas, is to return following back surgery which has kept him out of competitive action since he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic at the start of February.

Woods underwent a fourth back operation in three years in April and this month the 41-year-old’s agent Mark Steinberg said he had been cleared to resume full golf activity following a check-up with his surgeon.

Woods announced his participation in his own tournament with a post on Twitter which read: “I’d like to thank the committee of 1 for picking myself and Daniel Berger to play in this year’s #Heroworldchallenge.”

In a statement on his website, Woods said: “I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge. Albany is the perfect setting and it will be great to join this outstanding field. I want to thank Pawan Munjal and Hero Motocorp for their continued support of this tournament and my foundation. I would also like to thank the fans for their unwavering support during my injury.”

Woods, whose TGR Live organisation manages the Hero World Challenge, is joined in the field of 18 by Berger who won his second PGA tournament this year. The event runs from Nov 30 to Dec 2.