What to know about the 2024 Hero World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods in the Bahamas

Golf's silly season is upon us once again and first up is Tiger's bash in the Bahamas.

The Hero World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods, is a 20-man event at Albany with some pretty good silly season money on the line.

The four-day, 72-hole, stroke-play tournament is contested at Albany Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas, Dec. 5-8. This will be the 10th year that Albany has hosted.

Is Tiger Woods playing in the 2024 Hero?

Six days ago, Woods posted a message on social media to announce he's not playing in this year's rendition of the event.

“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,” he wrote.

Woods, a five-time past champion of the event, had microdecompression surgery on his lower back Sept. 13 to relieve nerve impingement and back pain. He hasn’t announced when he plans to try to play again.

Who is in the field for the Hero?

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, set to defend his title at the Hero, was among the first 17 names announced about a month ago.

When Tiger announced he was out, he also confirmed the final three names to the 20-man field.

The tee sheet was officially finalized with two additions and two subtractions, with Akshay Bhatia and Cameron Young in and Hideki Matsuyama and Billy Horschel out.

Scheffler and Viktor Hovland, who hoisted the trophy in 2021 and 2022, are the only past champions in the field.

Who are the Hero first-timers in 2024?

Nearly half the field will be making their debut at Albany in 2024.

• Ludvig Aberg

• Sahith Theegala

• Russell Henley

• Robert MacIntyre

• Aaron Rai

• Matthieu Pavon

• Akshay Bhatia

• Nick Dunlap

How many major champions are heading to Albany?

There will be six major champions in the 2024 Hero event. They have combined to win eight majors:

• Scottie Scheffler - 2022, 2024 Masters

• Wyndham Clark - 2023 U.S. Open

• Brian Harman - 2023 Open Championship

• Justin Thomas - 2017, 2022 PGA Championship

• Jason Day - 2015 PGA Championship

• Keegan Bradley - 2011 PGA Championship

How to watch the 2024 Hero World Challenge

Golf Channel, NBC and Peacock will have live coverage of all four days of the 2024 Hero. Golf Channel will have all four days with NBC picking up the third and final rounds.

Thursday, Dec. 51:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Golf Channel/NBC Sports app

Friday, Dec. 61:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Golf Channel/NBC Sports app

Saturday, Dec. 712 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Golf Channel/NBC Sports app2:30 to 5 p.m., NBC/Peacock/NBC Sports app

Sunday, Dec. 811:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Golf Channel/NBC Sports app1:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m., NBC/Peacock/NBC Sports app

What is the prize money payouts for the Hero?

There is a $5 million total purse with $1 million going to the winner. All 20 players will take home something, with last place good for $120,000.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: What to know about the 2024 Hero World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods in the Bahamas