Tiger Woods is notably absent from the field set to compete in the Hero World Challenge in December, which speaks to his injury status as he continues to rehab from another back surgery

As has been the case for the last few years, Woods’ participation is contingent upon his health. Woods, 48, underwent micro-decompression surgery of the lumbar spine on Sept. 13 in West Palm Beach, Fla., to correct a nerve impingement in his lower back. He wrote on X that the surgery, the sixth he has undergone on his back, was successful.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to defend his title at the Hero World Challenge in December as the tournament announced 17 competitors in the 20-man field. No word on whether tournament host Tiger Woods will compete and start his latest comeback from his latest surgery.