After a week of exciting build up to The Genesis Open at The Riviera, it all ended up a bit of a damp squib for star attraction, Tiger Woods.
Woods’ announcement he’d play in the event meant interest was higher than ever. The 15-time major winner had not played since The Masters in 2023.
However, after struggling towards the back of the field anyway and experienced back spasms on day one, Woods then withdrew on round 2 with flu and sickness symptoms seeing him pull out.
The sight of Woods being ferried away on a buggy was one that nobody in golf wanted to see. However, the fact it was illness and not his body breaking down as in the past, means there’s cause for optimism.
Woods, then, could be back in action quicker than some might expect.
When Tiger Woods will play next after withdrawing from The Genesis
According to a report from Sky Sports, fans won’t have to wait too long to see Woods back on the golf course as things stand.
Woods is apparently scheduled to take part in The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in less than a month’s time. That tournament tees off on the 14th March and would give Woods a few weeks to rest again before attempting to get going once more.
Of course, the ultimate aim for Woods is to make The Masters in April. And given he was relatively pain free when he withdrew this weekend, that’s a realistic aim.
Indeed, Dame Laura Davies even believes that a fit Woods wins on the tour this year again.
“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. 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. Without a doubt he will win this year – if he stays fit,” Davies said.
Tiger, then, could well be in for one last hurrah in 2024 and it would be simply iconic if he managed to do it at Augusta again.
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