The golf world waiting to see Tiger Woods in action for the first time since the Open Championship will have to wait a little longer. The golfer announced on Monday that he won’t be participating in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas as he is still recovering from the back surgery he had in September. While this dampens the enthusiasm among the golf fans, there is still a chance we might see him on the greens before the end of the year.

“I am disappointed that I will not be able to compete this year at the Hero World Challenge, but always look forward to being tournament host and spending the week with @HeroMotoCorp,” Woods tweeted announcing his decision. Back in September, the golfer underwent a reported micro-depression surgery of the lumbar spine and is still recovering. But amid this somber update, Jon Daly who has dealt with his own serious health concerns over the years is in a buoyant mood.

Daly shared a few stories on his Instagram showing him performing some iconic songs. One of his stories sees him singing ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ by Guns N’ Roses with the Davisson Brothers Band. It seems to be one of his favorite songs as he also performed it previously on stage a few months ago.

Another story shows him performing ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by the late John Denver. He was pairing up with the same band during his performance as well. However, it turned into a duet as one of his friends joined him on stage for the main verse of the song in his next story. But if you are wondering what was Daly up to and why he was enthusiastically celebrating, there is also a reason for that.

Turns out John Daly and his friends were at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. Long John was actually attending the event to celebrate the 30th birthday of his friend, Ryan Hager. The last story on Daly’s Instagram was posted a few hours ago with the text “Happy Birthday Hager! 👊🏻”

For long-time fans of Daly, it would have been heartening to see him in such a delightful mood and appearing healthy. Having been diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020, Daly was able to recover after a procedure and returned to the course this year in the PGA Championship Field List at Valhalla Golf Club in May.

Daly has also had bi-compartmental degenerative arthritis in his right knee, a condition that requires a knee replacement. He had his first knee surgery in 2019 and then needed another knee replacement surgery on his left one in 2022. He plays using braces, which is something he is getting used to.

His latest Instagram activity is good news for fans hoping to see him at the 2024 PNC Championship in mid-December. He has already confirmed his participation with his son John Daly II and will be joined by the defending champions, Bernhard Langer, and his son Jason, who have confirmed their place for the 2024 edition. 2023 winners Vijay Singh and Qass Singh are also going to be on the course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. But what about Tiger and his son?

Update on Tiger Woods’s status for the PNC Championship

Participating in the Hero World Challenge was always going to be a difficult ask for Woods after his surgery. The competition is scheduled to take place from 5 – 8 December. Given that Woods took a little over two months with a similar injury prior to his car accident in 2021, it was a given that his participation in the event at the Bahamas was always a doubt.

However, according to a report by Golf Digest Woods is likely to play alongside his son Charlie at the PNC Championship which starts on December 19. The report also says Woods has committed to play but an official confirmation is yet to come.

Over the years, Woods has featured regularly on the PGA Tour’s December schedule. A year ago he played in the Hero and has played each of the last several years in the annual PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie. His chances to play this year at the event are also boosted by the fact that the PNC Championship will allow him to compete from the comfort of a golf cart, something he cannot do at the Hero.

We can expect an announcement about his participation in the event at the Hero World Challenge itself, as Woods will be in attendance as the host and will be giving a press conference