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“There is an overwhelming sense that Tiger Woods is done,” James Corrigan of the Telegraph writes in this analysis of Woods’ news conference earlier this week. “And even if you refuse to accept it, then it is surely impossible to argue that Tiger Woods is done with being Tiger Woods.”
“Padraig Harrington has seen an array of impressive talent emerge during his 20 years on Tour but nothing to match the combined expertise of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day,” Liam Kelly writes in the Belfast Telegraph. “The reason? When they are on song, the ‘Big Three’ have the ability to frighten the opposition. That quality used to be the sole preserve of Tiger Woods. Now the fear factor can come from a variety of players.”
Tiger Woods withdraws from Riviera with flu symptoms. His 2024 debut lasts only 24 holes
Tiger Woods returned to the PGA Tour and lasted only 24 holes, withdrawing Friday from the Genesis Invitational with flu-like symptoms and dehydration after hitting his tee shot on the seventh hole at Riviera.
Rob McNamara, his longtime associate and vice president of TGR Ventures, said Woods felt flu symptoms Thursday night that worsened when he woke up.
“He had a little bit of a fever and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy,” McNamara told a PGA Tour official. “Ultimately, the doctors are saying he’s got potentially some type of flu and that he was dehydrated. He’s been treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much, much better, and he’ll be released on his own here soon.”
Woods left Riviera about two hours after he withdrew, sitting in the front seat of a red SUV as it departed.
He was 1-over par for the round — 2 over for the tournament — and projected just outside the cut when he asked for a cart and was driven off the course by a rules official. He has been walking slowly and looked drained of energy playing the front nine.
Tiger Woods chips up on the fourth hole during the second round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Tiger Woods is driven off the course after withdrawing during the second round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
“He obviously wasn’t himself, just didn’t look right. Saw that before the round started,” said Gary Woodland, who played in the same group with Woods along with Justin Thomas. “Obviously, everything’s better with him there and for him for his first tournament back and he couldn’t come out and finish the way he wanted to, that sucks for all of us.”
Woodland said he noticed Woods being quieter than normal, though they all were trying to make sure they were among the top 50 to make the cut.
“I feel bad for him. He wasn’t right,” Woodland said. “He definitely was trying to fight through it and I hope he’s all right.”
The 48-year-old Woods still managed to create quite a spectacle at Riviera.
Tiger Woods tees off on the fourth hole during the second round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Tiger Woods is driven off the course after withdrawing during the second round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
An ambulance and a ladder truck from the Los Angeles Fire Department were parked outside the clubhouse, presumably waiting for Woods. PGA Tour officials said IV fluid bags were needed and there were none at Riviera, so the paramedics had to deliver them.
Photographers and media crowded near the ambulance next to a 6-foot high hedge raised cameras and mobile phones when there was movement, except the trucks were leaving without Woods.
On the golf course, there was a steady stream of spectators headed for the exit. Woodland and Thomas approached the ninth green surrounded by only a few hundred fans.
Woods had not played an official event since the Masters last April, withdrawing in the middle of the rain-delayed third round. He played the unofficial Hero World Challenge in December against a 20-man field with no cut, and the 36-hole PNC Championship with his son, Charlie.
Woods now has played six official tournaments since returning from a February 2021 car crash in Los Angeles that shattered bones in his right leg. He has pulled out of three of them — the 2022 PGA Championship after 54 holes, the 2023 Masters when he didn’t return Sunday morning to complete the third round.
Woods had said he hoped to play one tournament a month through the major season. He had said Thursday he was experiencing back spasms, which led to his shank on the final hole when he started the tournament with a 72.
Along with playing, Woods is the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational that is run by his TGR foundation.