By Christopher Powers
Eighteen of the top-ranked players in the world head to The Bahamas this week for the Hero World Challenge, held at Albany in New Providence. While the event is recognized on the PGA Tour schedule and has a purse of $3,500,000, it is not an official money event, but it does offer World Ranking points. Tiger Woods is the tournament host, and the event is a benefit for his foundation.

Headlining the field is Woods, who began his latest comeback at the Hero a year ago and showed flashes of his former self. At the time, his T-9 finish in a field of 18 was nothing special, but his Friday and Sunday 68s would be a sign of things to come in a season that saw him climb from 1,199th to 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking, win the Tour Championship and contend in the final two majors of the season. He returns to the Hero this year fresh off an eventful loss to Phil Mickelson in “The Match,” where neither he nor Mickelson had their best stuff. Woods will play alongside Justin Thomas on Thursday and Friday.

Also back in the field is defending champion Rickie Fowler, who carded a final-round 11-under 61 at Albany last year to win by four strokes. The incredible performance leads many to believe the four-time tour winner was in for a big season, but Fowler was unable to notch another victory, though he came close at the Masters. He’ll play with Dustin Johnson on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday Tee Times (all times ET)
Tee No. 1
11:10 a.m. — Tony Finau, Gary Woodland
11:21 a.m. — Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama
11:32 a.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele
11:43 a.m. — Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson
11:54 a.m. — Jon Rahm, Alex Noren
12:05 p.m. — Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods
12:16 p.m. — Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson
12:27 p.m. — Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson
12:38 p.m. — Jason Day, Bryson DeChambeau

The post 2018 Hero World Challenge tee times appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Joel Beal
The Hero World Challenge, the unofficial PGA Tour event hosted by Tiger Woods, announced its field for the 2017 competition on Tuesday afternoon. And a big name was noticeably absent from the roll call.

Woods, who made his return to golf at the Bahamas event last year, was not among the 16 golfers listed in the tournament’s press release. The 14-time major winner recently said he remains limited in golf activities, and acknowledged the possibility he may never play competitive golf again.

Related: Tiger Woods says there’s ‘definitely’ a chance he never returns to playing competitive golf

It should be noted that two special exemptions remain open, a slot which Woods used in 2016. Conversely, at this point last year, Woods had already committed to the event (although he did withdraw from the Safeway Open and a Turkey appearance due to “vulnerabilities” in his game).

Given the Hero is in eight weeks, and the 41-year-old is only hitting 60-yard shots, it’s a safe bet Woods will watch the tournament from the sidelines.

Not that the Hero is lacking in marquee names. The top four players in the world—Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas—are in the field. Other stars include Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka.

Related: Who was the mystery woman with Tiger Woods at the Presidents Cup

The Hero World Challenge begins on November 30 at Albany, New Providence.

The post Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge field announced, with a notable name currently missing appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.