Albany (Bahamas): Former World No. 1 Tiger Woods remains hopeful of participating in a competitive event in India, a visit he hasn’t made in a decade despite being Hero MotoCorp’s Global Partner.
Pawan Munjal, chairman, managing director, and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, expressed excitement over extending his partnership with the prestigious Hero World Challenge for another six years, ensuring Woods continues as their global partner.
Munjal was particularly pleased to welcome three players of Indian origin to the tournament: Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia, and Aaron Rai. He reminisced about Anirban Lahiri’s participation in the past and emphasized the significance of having three players of Indian descent competing among the world’s best. He stated, “We’ve been looking for an Indian star to elevate golf in India. Even if they are of Indian origin, I’m sure the nation will be proud and excited.”
Sahith Theegala is currently ranked 12th in the world, Aaron Rai is 21st, and Akshay Bhatia holds the 31st position, with all 20 competitors in the Hero World Challenge ranked within the top 40 globally.
Woods remarked on the support the event has received from players over the years, noting that many have established their foundations due to the influence of the Hero and Tiger Woods Foundation partnership, which began in 2014 and will now continue until at least 2030.
While Woods often uses this event to gauge his fitness for the upcoming season, he admitted, “I’m disappointed. I’m not physically ready yet to compete at this level. I still need to train to prepare for next year’s events.”
Regarding the ongoing situation with the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund funding the LIV series, Woods expressed that progress has been slower than expected but remains hopeful. He stated, “We wish we had something more concrete by now, but things are fluid, and we’re making progress daily.”
Despite his challenges, Woods still has a strong desire to compete, saying, “The fire still burns to compete. The difference is my body’s recovery isn’t what it used to be. I love competing, whether it’s in golf or anything else.”
The Hero World Challenge is set to take place from December 5 to 8, featuring 20 players, all ranked within the top 40 in the world, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leading the field as the defending champion.