Tiger Woods is “resting and feeling better” after his withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational.
Woods’ premature exit from Riviera Country Club caused shock and confusion after the 15-time major champion was driven off the golf course six holes into his second round on his return.
But it was later confirmed that Woods had withdrawn because of sickness, rather than any physical effects from his ongoing injury problems.
While this was hardly the return Woods had envisaged in his first PGA Tour start since the Masters, there is no indication that his plans for 2024 have changed as he recovers from influenza.
He was two-over-par and battling to make the cut in the $20million showpiece when he cut his tournament short in Los Angeles, but still showed some promising signs in his 24 holes.
Indeed, Dame Laura Davies was particularly optimistic about the 48-year-old when assessing his week.
“I actually think, if he had been fit, he’d have probably made the cut; the cut was one-over at the time, and he was two-over when he had to withdraw,” Davies told Sky Sports.
“The way we saw him driving it on Thursday, he was scrappy, he dropped five shots – very un-Tiger-like – and he’d already dropped a couple [on Friday]. If he can drive it like that all the time, we know his irons will come around.
“They have been a little bit loose. Putting’s been great; he’s still holing those very important five, 10-footers. A lot of them were for pars yesterday and he made them.”
Woods has made just six official starts since miraculously returning at the 2022 Masters after crushing his leg in a car crash three years ago, withdrawing on three occasions.
But he has made clear that his intention during his latest comeback is to play once a month in 2024 – and it appears likely his next could be at either the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill or the The Players at TPC Sawgrass.
And Davies is convinced that Woods can still secure a victory this season, which would see him become the most prolific winner in PGA Tour history.
“I think, if he is going to be fit – and it looked like the signs for that are good with his body – then I think we’ve got lots to look forward to,” Davies added. “Without a doubt he will win this year – if he stays fit.”
