Tiger Woods withdraws from his tournament with foot injury

Tiger Woods during the second round of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club, May 20, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. Woods withdrew from his Hero World Challenge on Monday because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot. (AP)
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Updated 29 November 2022
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Tiger Woods withdraws from his tournament with foot injury

  • The Hero World Challenge was to be the start of a December in golf ruled by Woods

NASSAU, Bahamas: Tiger Woods was out before he was officially back, withdrawing Monday from his Hero World Challenge with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

The Hero World Challenge was to be the start of a December in golf ruled by Woods, who also has a made-for-television match next weekend, followed by the PNC Championship with his 13-year-old son on Dec. 17-18.

Two of those are still on his schedule. The foot injury was a surprise and is a big setback for those who haven’t seen Woods play since July at St. Andrews. The Hero World Challenge has network coverage on NBC for the weekend.

“In preparation and practice for this week’s Hero World Challenge, I’ve developed plantar fasciitis in my right foot, which is making it difficult to walk,” Woods said on Twitter. “After consulting with my doctors and trainers, I have decided to withdraw this week and focus on my hosting duties. My plan is still to compete in The Match and the PNC Championship.”

The Match is Dec. 10 with Rory McIlroy as his partner competing in a 12-hole match against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Woods has played only three tournaments this year because of a right leg weakened by a February 2021 car crash outside Los Angeles that shattered so many bones that Woods said doctors contemplated amputation.

A year ago in the Bahamas, he hit drivers on the back end of the range at Albany Golf Club, sparking speculation he might return. He played the PNC Championship with son Charlie and they finished second by one shot.

Woods then played the Masters, where he finished all four rounds at Augusta National, a tough walk with healthy legs. He made the cut in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills, only to withdraw after the third round.

His last appearance was the British Open at St. Andrews, where he missed the cut.

Woods has said he would have a limited schedule going forward, and this year was an example of what to expect. The World Challenge would have been one of the easier walks on the flat terrain of Albany.

The 20-man field features 15 of the top 20 players in the world. Woods was replaced by Austria-born Sepp Straka, who went to Georgia. Earlier, Hideki Matsuyama withdrew with injury and was replaced by Corey Conners.

Woods is No. 1,277 in the world ranking and is exempt as the tournament host. Being replaced by Straka (No. 29) means the entire 20-man field is among the top 33 in the ranking. The strength of field increases even as TV ratings are sure to take a hit.


Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri re-sign for Crushers GC ahead of new LIV Golf season

Updated 08 January 2026
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Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri re-sign for Crushers GC ahead of new LIV Golf season

  • Crushers to maintain same roster for a record fifth consecutive season under captain Bryson DeChambeau 
  • Team returns in 2026 Season as most successful team in LIV Golf history, with eight regular-season team titles and one team championship

NEW YORK: Crushers GC of the LIV Golf League has solidified its roster for the 2026 season with the confirmed return of team veterans Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri, who once again will team up with captain Bryson DeChambeau and Charles Howell III following an accomplished 2025 showing that included three consecutive team victories in 2025 at LIV Golf Korea, Virginia, and Dallas.

“Keeping this core together for 2026 positions us to build on the momentum we carried out of 2025,” DeChambeau said. “This group knows what it takes to win; we lifted the trophy in 2023 and finished second last season, and that experience fuels our drive to compete at the top week in and week out. We’re a team of competitors, creators, and leaders who take pride in pushing the game forward, and having this group return gives us continuity, confidence, and a clear direction as we raise our standards heading into next season.”

Crushers GC enters the 2026 season with a clear identity rooted in inspiration, energy, and creativity, built to push boundaries and expand its global footprint. Led by DeChambeau, the Crushers combine elite competition with a creator-first mindset, using connection, innovation, and global reach to ignite fandom. The team prides itself on making golf more accessible, entertaining, and engaging, blending high-performance play with education, mentorship, and social-first storytelling that resonates with modern fans. 

DeChambeau returns as one of the sport’s most exciting and influential figures. His power game has remained elite; he impacted both individual and team performance in 2025, winning the individual title at LIV Golf Korea and finishing third in the season-long individual Championship race. He also led Crushers GC to three consecutive victories in 2025 in Korea, Virginia and Dallas.

Paul Casey returns as a steadying force within the Crushers lineup, and as one of the most consistent players on the LIV Golf circuit. A proven winner with more than two decades at the highest level of professional golf, Casey has won 21 times in 13 different countries on his way to becoming one of the sport’s most popular players. His precision, consistency, and competitive intelligence remain central to the team’s pursuit of excellence. Casey recorded four top-10 finishes in 2025, and finished runner-up at LIV Golf Dallas in a four-man play-off. 

Two-time Olympian Lahiri begins his fourth full season with Crushers GC after providing a reliable and consistent presence, anchoring the back of the lineup to keep things steady. A trailblazer whose career spans victories and contention across multiple tours, Lahiri is one of the most decorated Indian professional golfers, having earned 18 professional wins worldwide.

Howell continued to be a steady backbone for Crushers GC throughout the 2025 season, underscoring his value as one of the league’s most consistent and dependable competitors. The veteran posted six top-24 points finishes, including two top-five results in Crushers GC’s three team wins, proving he delivers when it matters most in big moments. Howell is the only other Crusher besides DeChambeau to win a LIV Golf individual title, having done so in Mayakoba in 2023. Whether anchoring the team’s deep lineup or contributing key points in high-pressure situations, Howell’s blend of consistency, experience, and measured excellence helped fuel Crushers’ run in 2025 and sets a tone for his role heading into 2026.

With their full 2025 roster returning, Crushers GC enters the 2026 season tied as most successful team in LIV Golf history, with eight regular-season team titles and one team championship.