After his TGL event venue collapsed in a storm, Tiger Woods has received another setback. Xander Schauffele has apparently pulled out of the Hero World Challenge, which is hosted by Tiger Woods‘ foundation every year.
The tournament is due to take place in the Bahamas from November 30th to December 3rd. The 20-man field will feature eight of the world’s top 10 golfers, and the earnings fetched from the tournament will go towards Woods’ foundation, the TGR Foundation.
Among the top golfers who received an invitation to participate in the event is world no. 1, Scottie Scheffler, followed by world No.17, Brooks Koepka. The roster also includes names like Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Wyndham Clark. Xander Schauffele was also supposed to participate in the 20-player squad, but he announced on Friday that he won’t be able to participate in any PGA Tour events until January.
🚨Xander Schauffele withdrew from The Hero World Challenge and won’t make his next start until January in Hawaii, per an exclusive he did with @TheTodaysGolfer. That leaves 2 spots open in the 20 man field. Remains unclear if Tiger Woods will play.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) November 17, 2023
With Schauffele’s withdrawal, there are now two vacant spots for the Hero World Challenge, which fans are speculating could mean a comeback that they’ve been eagerly waiting for.
Fans Speculate on Xander Schauffele and the Reason Behind His Withdrawal
As the news reached fans, they came in like swarms of bees to pour in their remarks and thoughts about it.
A fan made a pun-intended comment and brought Schaufelle’s father into context:
His father told him to withdraw!
— R K (@RKNY716) November 18, 2023
Xander to LIV
— HIMstead (@AggieFanColton) November 17, 2023
Xander to LIV.. which team?
— Doug (@Bigdouggie1) November 18, 2023
Another fan took a smart jab at Xander, calling him unimportant since he never won a major:
No one cares about Xander. Win a major.
— Mookie Mustardson (@ForTheCorner) November 17, 2023
Let Charlie play
— jentzen_gore (@JentzenG) November 17, 2023
If Charlie and Tiger in the field, that would be 👍
— Queens Fort (@Bellyhungry) November 17, 2023
If Tiger plays, I hope he enters the field like this. pic.twitter.com/6ZkopP3bpf
— Patrick (@panderson1988) November 17, 2023
Tiger Woods has been absent from the field since the 2023 Masters Championship, where he had to withdraw owing to his injury, a consequence of the near-fatal accident in the 2021 car accident that took a toll on the legend’s health. But as Woods slowly makes an appearance for his TGL prospects, the fans are also expecting the GOAT’s return on the greens, especially after his event now has two vacant places. All the more reason for him to make a comeback.
