Tiger Woods has been a staple at the PNC Championship for years, teeing it up alongside his son in one of golf’s most anticipated family events. But this year, things seem to be taking a turn. After undergoing back surgery in September, his status for the event had been uncertain, and now it’s official: he won’t be playing.

Just ahead of hosting the Hero World Challenge, Tiger Woods confirmed the news, noting he’s only recently been cleared to start chipping and putting again. A post from NUCLR Golf on X shared Tiger’s update. “🚨🐅🏌️ #NEW — Tiger Woods on where he is in the rehab process following back surgery 6 weeks ago, “I just got cleared last week to chip and putt.” Tiger gave no solid timeline for his return to professional golf or on what his schedule will look like going forward.”

He also made it clear he won’t be competing in this year’s PNC, marking a rare break in a tradition that fans have come to love. Why, you ask? It’s mainly because he knows he’s not in top condition, and Tiger Woods refuses to give anything less than his best, especially when playing alongside his son. “It wouldn’t be fair on my son or any of the other teams, let alone the team that could replace us,” he explained recently.

Last year’s star-studded field brought together champions who had amassed 69 major titles, 40 senior majors, and more than 1,000 international victories. The lineup featured five former winners and welcomed two debut teams, adding even more excitement to an already elite event. Then, world No. 1 Nelly Korda headlined the field, with more than half the competitors having reached the top spot in the world rankings at some point in their illustrious careers.

Sadly, with the recent announcement, Tiger Woods won’t get the chance to relive the magic of last year’s PNC Championship. In 2024, he experienced a dream most athletes would cherish, competing side-by-side with his son Charlie in the beloved exhibition event. Golf clearly runs deep in the Woods family, and watching the father-son duo share the fairways felt like witnessing something truly special.

Charlie, then just 15, even delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable highlights by draining a hole-in-one from 178 yards. The event brought together current and former pros teaming up with a parent or child over 36 holes, making moments like that even more meaningful. But despite a strong showing, Bernhard Langer and his son Jason were nearly flawless, forcing Tiger and Charlie to settle for a runner-up finish.

“For us to have that experience together… I know we didn’t win, but it was the fact that we competed,” Tiger said. “No one really made a mistake out there, we had to earn it and that’s what you want to have. Hats off to the Langers, they played amazing.” And even though Tiger has now confirmed he won’t play this year, it’s clear the 49-year-old is feeling the sting of missing out. Why, you ask?

“This is about bonding and it’s about having a great time together… This is the thrill of a lifetime for us to be able to experience this together,” said Tiger Woods last year. And for Charlie too, it was a defining moment early in his young career, something he’ll remember no matter where golf takes him next. But the big question now is, when is Tiger Woods ready to play next?

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Tiger Woods’ health update explains Hero World Challenge decision

In October 2025, Tiger Woods underwent yet another procedure, this time a lumbar disc replacement. It marked more than 13 surgeries in his career, many involving his back and knee. Last month, he revealed the latest operation was to replace the L4-L5 disc in his lumbar spine, a necessary step after ongoing issues that had been slowing him down.

Although the surgery went well and Woods later shared an encouraging update, doctors have ordered him to rest. Because of that recovery period, he won’t be able to take part in the Hero World Challenge, the event he not only plays in but also hosts each year. His absence comes as a disappointment, but it’s clear he needs time to heal properly.

Woods explained his decision to move forward with the surgery by saying he had been dealing with “pain and lack of mobility” and that scans showed a collapsed disc, disc fragments, and pressure on his spinal canal. After the operation, he felt confident in the choice, saying he already knew it was “a good decision” for both his long-term health and his back.

This wasn’t the only setback he faced recently. Earlier in March 2025, he underwent surgery for a damaged left Achilles tendon suffered during training. And just a year before that, in September 2024, he needed back surgery to relieve a nerve impingement. With so many procedures in such a short span, the American legend will undoubtedly require time before returning to full strength on the course. That said, do you think Tiger Woods will make a full comeback after his latest round of surgeries?