Tiger Woods returns to the PGA Tour: What to expect in his latest Genesis Invitational return | Golf News

Tiger Woods makes his long-awaited return to the PGA Tour this week on the Genesis Invitational, stay on Sky Sports activities, with the sports activities world relishing within the newest return of the 15-time main champion.

Woods’ look at Riviera Nation Membership is his first non-major PGA Tour begin for the reason that Zozo Championship in October 2020, with the 47-year-old a part of a star-studded discipline containing 23 of the world’s high 25 gamers and all the highest Present 30 within the FedExCup rankings.

The five-time Masters champion made his comeback after leg and ankle accidents at Augusta Nationwide final April, 14 months after a career-threatening automobile accident noticed Woods taking part in for the PGA Championship the next month earlier than lacking the lower on the a hundred and fiftieth Open in July. .

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Woods has informed Sky Sports activities he has no plans to retire in the meanwhile however admits he might have had his final likelihood to win an Open at St Andrews.

Woods hasn’t made an official begin for the reason that early exit to St Andrews, the place he was pressured to disclaim rumors of a doable retirement from the game, regardless of competing with a cart in The Match and the PNC Championship – the place he teamed up together with his son Charlie – in December.

The restricted taking part in schedule of latest years has seen Woods fall to world No. 1,294, whereas query marks stay over what to anticipate from the 82-time PGA Tour winner when he does on Thursday.

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Woods says he suggested his son Charlie to repeat Rory McIlroy’s swing as a substitute of his personal!

How wholesome is Woods?

Woods was scheduled to compete within the Hero World Problem in December, just for the match host to drag out the week of the occasion as a result of plantar fasciitis in his proper foot.

The irritation has impacted Woods’ mobility and led to him not committing to his 2023 schedule, suggesting he ‘can prepare, however not stroll’ forward of the PNC Championship in December earlier than so as to add that he ought to have allowed his foot to heal.

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Tiger and Charlie Woods confirmed nerveless placing because the father-son duo produced a gap 59th spherical on the PNC Professional-Am Championship in Orlando.

Woods provided no replace on his harm standing, however beforehand stated he would solely take part in occasions if he felt like he may “compete on the highest degree”, with world No. 3 Rahm amongst these delighted to see him again in motion.

“It is nice to listen to,” Rahm stated of Woods’ entry into the Genesis Invitational on Friday. “After all the pieces he is been by, it is unbelievable that he is nonetheless attempting. Every little thing he had on his leg and then you definitely add plantar fasciitis – I actually really feel for him in that sense.

Woods has confirmed he’ll play a restricted schedule for the remainder of his profession

“I do know he’ll preserve doing all the pieces he can to attempt to win extra tournaments and possibly get that 83rd win. It is an actual honor for all of us. Any time Tiger could be on the golf course, the match is even higher. . So I hope he can play comfortably and I hope he can play nicely.”

Can Woods deal with the Riviera check?

Woods has at all times remained adamant that he would by no means ask to make use of a golf cart at an official PGA Tour occasion, which might require him to sort out the numerous elevation adjustments round Riviera on foot this week.

“I think about we’ll take it down the hill on one and up the hill on 18, which no one would thoughts,” joked 2021 Genesis Invitational winner Max Homa. “However it’s nice. I am actually completely happy that he is again. I feel we’re privileged each time he performs now.

“Clearly we do not know his schedule. It appears like he’ll attempt to play the majors, so it is actually nice that he is taking part in a [PGA] Tour occasion – particularly his occasion, one in all my favorites. I am glad to see him again there. Yeah, he is nonetheless excellent and also you by no means know what he is gonna do. So it will likely be enjoyable to look at him play golf.”

How did gamers react to the information?

Woods despatched social media right into a frenzy when he confirmed his return by way of Twitter on Friday, the place he stated he was able to play a “actual” PGA Tour occasion, with many WM Phoenix Open gamers excited to listen to about his return.

Former world no 1 Jason Day stated: It is nice. It is superior. That is actually excellent information. I am actually very proud of it. It is good that he is out, he can stroll and it is good to have the ability to see that. So, yeah, I am excited to see it – it is going to be enjoyable.”

Tom Kim equaled two Woods information by taking part in a bogey-free 72-hole match and changing into the youngest since him to win two PGA Tour titles earlier than turning 21, with the Presidents Cup star delighted to participate in an occasion together with his idol.

“I feel it is nice for the sport,” Kim stated. “As a participant, even me a giant fan of Tiger [Woods], it is going to be nice for him to be on the pitch. I hope I can encourage myself and play with him if I’ve the possibility.”

What’s Tiger’s file on the occasion?

Woods has had a particular affinity with Riviera since his early days on the PGA Tour as an novice, when a fresh-faced 16-year-old introduced himself to the world on the 1992 contest.

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As Woods prepares to host the Genesis Invitational on the Riviera Nation Membership this week, we flash again to 1992 the place 16-year-old Woods made his PGA Tour debut on the identical LA Open course.

It is a match and a venue that has eluded him greater than some other in his skilled profession, with Woods making 14 aggressive appearances on the occasion – simply 40 miles from his hometown of Cypress, Calif. – with out ever attain the winner’s circle.

Woods missed the lower in his two novice appearances however by no means completed outdoors the highest 20 on his subsequent eight visits – struggling the one play-off lack of his PGA Tour profession when he s happened at a distinct venue in 1998 earlier than ending in a tie. second to Ernie Els a 12 months later.

Might Woods cross Sam Snead within the all-time win standings with a historic 83rd PGA Tour title?

The previous world No. 1 missed the lower on his return to the occasion in 2018, his first on the match since 2006, earlier than following a tie fifteenth a 12 months later by ending final of those that made the lower in 2020 .

How can I witness the return of Tiger?

Sky Sports activities will present prolonged protection of all 4 rounds of the PGA Tour’s newest elevated occasion, with early protection stay from 2.30pm on Thursday and Friday and 5pm at weekends on Sky Sports activities Golf.

Full protection begins from 7 p.m. on the primary two rounds and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, whereas featured teams and featured holes can be found to Sky Glass, Sky Q and Sky Stream clients by way of the crimson button.

Watch the Genesis Invitational all through the week stay on Sky Sports activities Golf, whereas the DP World Tour’s Thailand Traditional and the Women European Tour’s Aramco Saudi Women Worldwide are additionally a part of the stay triple-header.