Tiger Woods, a golf legend with 15 Major Championships under his belt, faced a challenging year in 2023 due to health issues that kept him away from the professional greens for most of the season. His much-anticipated comeback at the Hero World Championship in December stirred the golfing world, but despite a commendable performance in the Bahamas, Woods finished solo in the 18th spot.
The extended absence took a toll on Woods’s Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), plummeting to a career-low 1,328th before the Hero World Challenge. However, a remarkable turnaround followed his participation in the event, catapulting him 430 spots to the 898th position in the OWGR. Surprisingly, in subsequent updates, Woods made an additional leap of 15 spots, defying expectations given recent changes implemented by the OWGR governing board.
The OWGR, in an effort to enhance the accuracy of its rankings, introduced two significant updates effective January 1, 2024. One crucial modification involved the exclusion of ranking points for players finishing in the bottom 15% of events lacking a cut. This rule impacted “signature events” on the PGA Tour, including the Hero World Challenge—a 20-man field with no cut.
Had this rule been enforced at the time of its announcement, Woods would not have received any points for his 18th-place finish, as he fell within the bottom 15% of the field. This hypothetical scenario would have left him at his career-low ranking. However, the actual outcome saw Woods rise to the 898th spot, showcasing the resilience and skill that have defined his illustrious career.
As of the latest OWGR update, Woods sits at the 883rd spot, demonstrating his ability to navigate challenges and make strides in a sport that continually evolves. Golf enthusiasts are left intrigued by his resurgence and eagerly anticipate further chapters in the Tiger Woods saga on the professional golf stage.