The limited-field event in December in the Bahamas is headlined by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and the tournament host could accept an exemption later.

Following another back operation, Tiger Woods is not among the initial field at the Hero World Challenge in December.

Hero World Challenge host Tiger Woods has yet to indicate whether he also will be competing later this year at Albany in the Bahamas. The tournament announced on Tuesday that World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler leads the initial commitment list of 17 players while three spots in the 20-player field remain open for exemptions—one of which Woods filled a year ago.

Tournament host Tiger Woods was not listed in the initial player field released on Tuesday for the Dec. 5-8 Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas but could still be added as one of the three exemption spots.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to defend his title at the Hero World Challenge in December as the tournament announced 17 competitors in the 20-man field. No word on whether tournament host Tiger Woods will compete and start his latest comeback from his latest surgery.

The annual event is set to include five of the world's top-10 but has three spaces left to fill before December - including a possible place for host,