Tiger Woods Returns to PGA Tour at Genesis Invitational
Tiger Woods is set to make his official return to the PGA Tour this week at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. After withdrawing from The Masters last year due to plantar fasciitis, Woods is eager to get back in the game.
Although Woods has played in non-official events like the Hero World Challenge and the PNC Championship, the Genesis Invitational marks his return to the official PGA Tour calendar. This is a significant moment for Woods as he looks to regain his form and compete against the top players in the world.
Riviera holds a special place in Woods’ career. It was where he made his first-ever start on the PGA Tour at the young age of 16. Despite numerous attempts, Woods has yet to secure a victory at this prestigious course. Will this be the year he finally breaks through?
The Genesis Invitational boasts an impressive field, with 22 of the top 24 players in the Official World Golf Ranking participating. Notable absences include Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who have recently joined LIV Golf. With such strong competition, it will be interesting to see how Woods fares against the best in the sport.
Woods will tee off on Thursday at 9:25am and Friday at 11:54am PT. He will be paired with his close friend Justin Thomas for the first two rounds. The two have a strong bond and have played countless rounds together as neighbors in Florida. This familiarity may work in Woods’ favor as he seeks to find his rhythm on the course.
Joining Woods and Thomas in their group is Gary Woodland, the 2019 U.S. Open champion. Woodland is making his fourth appearance after recovering from brain surgery. It will be a challenging and exciting tournament for all involved.
As Woods makes his highly anticipated return, golf fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if he can recapture his past glory. The Genesis Invitational promises to be a thrilling event filled with intense competition and memorable moments.
Tiger Woods Returns to PGA Tour After Foot Surgery
Two weeks after his withdrawal at The Masters, Tiger Woods underwent surgery on his foot, which kept him out of action for the remainder of the PGA Tour season.
His first event back was this past December at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, where he serves as the tournament’s host. While sanctioned by the PGA Tour, it’s considered an unofficial event as the field only includes 20 players, although OWGR points are awarded.
Of those 20 players, Woods finished 18th and was one of just three not to finish in red numbers, shooting 75-70-71-72 to finish at even par. Only Wyndham Clark (+2) and Will Zalatoris (+11), who was also playing his first event in several months after undergoing back surgery, finished behind him. Scottie Scheffler won the event at 20-under.
Two weeks later, Tiger teed it up at the PNC Championship, the team event where he’s participated the last several years with his son Charlie. Team Woods tied for fifth, shooting 64-61 to finish at 19-under, six shots back of Bernhard Langer and his son, Jason, who finished at 25-under.
As mentioned, Tiger Woods made his first-ever start on the PGA Tour at Riviera Country Club as a 16-year-old amateur in 1992, shooting 72-75 to miss the cut. He teed it up again a year later, also failing to make the weekend.
In 12 starts on the Pacific Palisades track as a professional, he’s recorded eight top-20 finishes. The closest Woods has come to winning was in 1999, when he shot 69-68-65-70 to finish at 12-under in a tie for second, two shots back of Ernie Els.
Tiger tied for 45th a year ago at Riviera, shooting 69-74-67-73 to finish at 1-under for the week, 16 shots back of Jon Rahm.
Woods, Thomas, and Woodland will tee off at 12:25 p.m. Eastern/9:25 a.m. Pacific on Thursday and 2:54 p.m. Eastern/11:54 a.m. Pacific on Friday.
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According to the Source heavy.com