WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Former World No. 1 Tiger Woods is officially returning from a long-term injury next month.
The 14-time major champion announced Monday afternoon that he will make his long-awaited return to competitive golf at the upcoming Hero World Challenge from Nov. 30-Dec 3.
Posting the announcement to Twitter, Woods joked that he would like to "thank the committee of 1" for receiving one of two sponsor exemptions into the 18-player tournament for which he has served as the longtime host.
Woods hasn't competed since withdrawing after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February due to a lingering back injury, which forced him to miss the 2015-2016 season.
Woods underwent another back operation in April, his fourth back surgery in all, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
"I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge," Woods said in a statement. "Albany is the perfect setting and it will be great to join this outstanding field."
According to Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, the golfer called him Monday to make it official.
"He said, 'I'm ready to go; I'm ready to play,'" Steinberg said. "He wasn't being too aggressive. He's taking it slow and progressing each day and called and said he's ready to commit. He's excited about taking this next step," he added.
Woods, whose 79 PGA Tour wins are three shy of Sam Snead's all-time record, has not won a major title since the 2008 US Open and has not won any event since the 2013 World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.
