Tuesday 1 November 2016 17:29, UK
Tiger Woods has announced that he will return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge next month.
Woods issued a statement confirming he will play his first event since August last year in the elite 18-player field at Albany in the Bahamas, where he is also the tournament host.
The 14-time major champion said: "I am excited to make my return at the Hero World Challenge at Albany and play in this terrific tournament. This is our 18th year, and every year we put together a top field that showcases the best golfers from the previous season.
"Albany is an outstanding setting, and I can't thank Hero MotoCorp enough for their support of the tournament and my foundation."
Woods has been out of action since undergoing back surgery a month after playing in the 2015 Wyndham Championship, and he required an unscheduled follow-up procedure last October.
The 40-year-old had originally intended to make his comeback at the Safeway Open last month, and he also committed to play in this week's Turkish Airlines Open on the European Tour.
But he pulled out of both tournaments and admitted his game was "vulnerable and not where it needs to be", although he remained confident of being ready to tee up in his own event.
Woods, who has plummeted to 831st in the world rankings, will take his place in a star-studded field which includes three of this year's major champions in Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Jimmy Walker, while world No 5 Jordan Spieth is also playing.
