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Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated return to the PGA Tour at the 2024 Genesis Invitational was unfortunately cut short due to illness. Woods withdrew from the second round of competition while on the seventh hole at Riviera Country Club on Friday. While his early departure was a disappointment for fans, it was revealed that Woods’ illness was the primary factor rather than his physical condition.
During his first round on Thursday, Woods had already shown signs of physical discomfort, battling back spasms that affected his performance. As he walked into the clubhouse and played his second round on Friday, he was noticeably limping. However, it was revealed that Woods had started feeling flu-like symptoms the night before, which worsened in the morning. He experienced dizziness while walking and playing, leading to his decision to withdraw from the tournament.
Rob McNamara, Tiger’s longtime business partner and vice president of TGR Ventures, provided further insight into Woods’ condition. McNamara explained, “He started feeling some flu-like symptoms last night. [Tiger] woke up this morning, they were worse than the night previous. He had a little bit of a fever and that, and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy. Ultimately, the doctors are saying he’s got some — 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.”
On Saturday, Woods confirmed his influenza diagnosis, shedding light on the severity of his illness. Prior to his withdrawal, Woods had been battling to make the cut after opening the Genesis Invitational with a 1-over 72. Despite starting with a birdie, he struggled on the fourth and fifth holes, dropping shots and 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 faced the possibility of not playing the weekend.
I would like to confirm that I had to withdraw from @thegenesisinv due to illness, which we now know is influenza. I am resting and feeling better. Good luck to the players this weekend. I’m disappointed to not be there and want to thank @GenesisUSA and all the fans for the…
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 17, 2024
The Genesis Invitational 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.
As Woods looks ahead, his future plans remain uncertain. The Arnold Palmer Invitational or The Players Championship, both scheduled for March, could serve as logical return tournaments for Woods as he continues to prepare for the Masters. However, it is evident that Woods needs more time in the arena to regain his consistency. While he showcased glimpses of his vintage form in his latest comeback attempt, he struggles to string together four rounds and keep pace with his peers.
Woods’ battle for consistency extends beyond his game and encompasses his physical limitations as well. With restricted practice time and the challenges of tournament play, maintaining sharpness becomes increasingly difficult. If Woods chooses to forgo competition during the Florida Swing, he may arrive at Augusta National in April with little to no game experience for the third consecutive year.
Despite the setbacks, Tiger Woods remains a resilient figure in the world of golf. His determination to overcome adversity and return to competitive play is a testament to his unwavering passion for the sport. As fans eagerly await his next appearance, they can only hope that Woods finds the balance between his physical well-being and his desire to compete at the highest level.