While Tiger Woods’ Extended Silence Intensifies, Who Will Take the Ultimate Spot In 2023 Hero World Challenge?

Tiger Woods announced the field for the upcoming Hero World Challenge keeping his name out of the list. While announcing the 20-man lineup, the veteran golfer left the last spot open to speculation. The final spot will be a sponsor exemption. 

Incidentally, there are three sponsor exemptions. With Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas taking up the two, only one spot remains to be filled. As per the rules, the exemption can be given to only the top 50 players in OWGR rankings. Let’s explore which eligible players are most likely to get the exemption. 

Who has a shot at the last spot at the Hero World Challenge?

Brooks Koepka

Yes, the Hero World Challenge is a PGA-sanctioned event. But, it’s not an official PGA Tour event. If that doesn’t open the door for the LIV Jeddah champion, it certainly keeps it slightly ajar. A sponsor exemption will allow the 33-year-old golfer to tee it up against his former peers and rivals. 

Rory McIlroy

Arguably the biggest name that was missing from the lineup was Rory McIlroy. More so, because the current world no. 2 is known to be among the small circle of close friends Tiger Woods has. However, McIlroy has played the event only once since the venue changed to the Bahamas nine years ago. The last time he played in Albany in 2021, he finished at the 18th position. 

Jon Rahm 

The 28-year-old Spaniard has been in brilliant form this season raking up four PGA Tour wins including one Major at Augusta. The 32-year-old golfer is also the former winner of this tournament in 2018, followed by a runner-up finish next year. Rahm has a chance to increase his trophy tally should he get a chance.

Tiger Woods

Granted Woods is not in the top 50 or even top 1000 in the current OWGR rankings (check it yourself if you don’t believe us). Yes, he has played only two tournaments this year, withdrawing from the one. 

But, the former world no.1 was seen practicing wedges at the Pebble Beach course ahead of the TGR Jr. Invitational. As for the OWGR rankings, the veteran golfer can easily sidestep that. There is an amnesty given to the tournament’s host. So, Woods can tee it up at Albany if he chooses to.

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Who are the players to look out for?

Woods has chosen an exceptionally strong field with 17 from the 25 in the OWGR rankings playing at the Bahamas. Eleven Ryder Cuppers of 2023 will also be on the green — three from Europe and the rest from Team USA. 

World no. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to tee up at the Albany with two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland. 2023 U.S. Open champ Wyndham Clark and 2023 Open Championship winner Brian Harman are the two newcomers.

Whereas, Tom Kim, Shane Lowry, and Tommy Fleetwood all are missing from last year’s lineup. The tournament will tee off on November 30 at Albany, Bahamas. You can catch the live action on Golf Channel and NBC.

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