Tiger Woods opted to cut short his pro-am after just nine holes on Wednesday at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
While Woods did not speak to reporters after the apparently abrupt exit, tournament officials and Woods’ caddie/business partner Rob McNamara were aware of the situation long before it played out.
“He decided this morning. He’s fine,” McNamara said, per Golf Digest.
“He’s got 72 holes ahead of him. He just wants to be ready for tomorrow,” Hero MotoCorp executive chairman Dr. Pawan Munjal said.
Multiple media outlets said Woods displayed a slight limp but no other physical issues ahead of his first tournament in more than seven months after undergoing surgery on his right ankle in April.
Woods, who turns 48 next month, limped through the first three rounds of the Masters in April before withdrawing due to plantar fasciitis. His only other start in 2023 was a T45 at The Genesis Invitational.
The 15-time major champion has struggled to walk 18 holes since his February 2021 car accident that resulted in severe injuries to his right foot and leg.
Woods is slated to tee off alongside good friend Justin Thomas on Thursday at 11:52 a.m. ET.
–Field Level Media