“Tiger Woods is a great divider”; “Next-level trolling” - Fans react to initial Hero World Challenge field list

Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge will take place from December 4 to 7. The initial player list for the tournament has been released and fans have shared their opinions on it.

The 2025 Hero World Challenge will feature 20 top performing golfers battling for a share of the $5 million prize money at Albany Golf Course. Scottie Scheffler will return to the field to defend his title against players such as Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Keegan Bradley. However, LIV Golf players were noticeably absent from the list.

The announcement was shared in a tweet from NUCLR Golf that read:

“JUST IN: The field has been announced for Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas with 3 exemptions set to be announced later. @TWlegion.”

One fan reacted to the announcement, writing:

“Tiger is a great divider, just like Monahan.”

Another fan commented:

“Next level trolling here. The Livtards all have their fingers crossed

One user pointed out that either Jon Rahm or Bryson DeChambeau should be invited for the tournament. However, the user also noted that seeing LIV players in the tournament is highly unlikely.

“It’s obvious that 2 of the 3 spots should be given to Rahm and Bryson but we know Tiger doesn’t want LIV golfers showing up tour players,” the user wrote.

In the same vein, another user commented:

“It should be Rahm Bryson Hatton. If they can play [the] Ryder Cup they should be able to play in this made up thing!”

Meanwhile, other fans wrote that the tournament should not get World Golf Ranking points because of how limited the field is.

A fan wrote:

“Let the silly season begin! Stop with the OWGR points. Very limited field and no cut. Sounds like an “other” tour event.

Another fan blamed Tiger Woods for the lack of reconciliation between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The fan commented:

“Tiger is also the reason a merger never happened. The great divider some may call him now. 🙊”

Fans react to Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge initial player list _ Images via X/@Mathew1539859 @Sleafs67 @dinomyte69 @jmill0514 @@suldawg2025

Initial field for Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler is set to headline Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge this year. Last year, he won the tournament for the second time in a row. He scored 25-under 263 and won by a large margin of six strokes ahead of Tom Kim.

Here’s a look at the initial field for Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge:

Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Justin Thomas
J.J. Spaun
Robert MacIntyre
Harris English
Keegan Bradley
Justin Rose
Sepp Straka
Hideki Matsuyama
Cameron Young
Patrick Cantlay
Sam Burns
Corey Conners
Chris Gotterup
Wyndham Clark
Brian Harman
Tournament exemption (TBA)
Tournament exemption (TBA)
Tournament exemption (TBA)

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Sarah Rishama Madaki