Tiger Woods, the legendary golfer, has withdrawn from the 2024 Genesis Invitational due to illness. The news came as a disappointment to fans who were eagerly anticipating his performance in the tournament. Woods made the decision to withdraw during the second round of competition while on the seventh hole at Riviera Country Club on Friday.
According to the PGA Tour, Woods’ early departure was not due to his physical state, despite dealing with back spasms during his first round on Thursday. However, he was noticeably limping while walking into the clubhouse and playing his second round on Friday. Woods explained, “My back was spasming the last couple holes, and it was locking up… I came down and it didn’t move and I presented hosel first and shanked it.”
The golfing icon was facing a tough battle to make the cut after opening the Genesis Invitational with a 1-over 72. Although he started with a birdie, he dropped shots on the par-3 4th and the par-4 5th, falling to 2 over for the tournament. With his position outside the top 50 and more than 10 strokes behind the leader, Patrick Cantlay, Woods was in danger of not playing the weekend.
This tournament marked Woods’ first start on the PGA Tour since the 2023 Masters, where he was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury. Unfortunately, Woods has now withdrawn from three of his last six tournaments since the 2022 Masters and has only completed 72 holes on the PGA Tour twice, including at Riviera last season.
The question now arises as to what lies ahead for Tiger Woods. In the winter, he expressed confidence at the Hero World Challenge, suggesting that he could play as much as one tournament per month in 2024. However, this recent withdrawal may cause him to reconsider his plans if it was due to more than just an illness.
Looking ahead, the Arnold Palmer Invitational or The Players Championship, both taking place in March, seem to be logical choices for Woods’ return to tournament play as he prepares for the Masters. It is evident that Woods needs more time in the arena to regain his consistency. While he showed glimpses of his vintage form in his latest comeback attempt, he struggles to string together four rounds and keep pace with his peers.
Woods’ first round at the Genesis Invitational was a perfect example of this inconsistency. He carded five birdies, six bogeys, and seven pars, highlighting his battle to find stability in his game. Ultimately, his struggle for consistency is not just against his own skills but also against his body. Woods is physically limited in terms of practice time and tournament action, where any lack of sharpness becomes apparent.
If Woods chooses to forgo competition during the Florida Swing, he could potentially arrive at Augusta National in April with little or no game practice for the third consecutive year. This would undoubtedly pose a challenge for the 15-time major champion as he aims to compete at the highest level.
As fans eagerly await updates on Tiger Woods’ health and future plans, it remains uncertain when we will see him back in action. However, one thing is for sure – the golfing world will be rooting for his successful return to the sport he has dominated for decades.