Chatting with the media 20 hours earlier than getting into his first official PGA Tour occasion in 10 months, Tiger Woods expressed optimism about his well being and his recreation.
So much has occurred since he withdrew within the third spherical of the Masters in April, citing plantar fasciitis – largely off the golf course. After chopping his 27-year partnership with Nike in January, he has a brand new 3-wood, a brand new clothes line and a brand new perspective as he makes his second straight look on the Genesis Invitational.
“I had an absolute blast at the moment,” the 48-year-old Woods stated after Wednesday morning's Professional-Am by which he performed alongside Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen and Angels outfielder Aaron Hicks . “Loads of trash speaking, telling tales… having fun with one another's firm. Contemplating what he does for a residing and the beatings his physique takes, you possibly can see the enjoyment Josh has for the sport and requested questions that solely his fellow athletes can ask.”
Requested if the ankle fusion operation he underwent two weeks after the 2023 Masters triggered him discomfort, the reply was a “no”.
“My ankle doesn't harm anymore,” Woods stated. “My again can also be melted and different components of my physique have taken the worst. You adapt to the ache the place it’s.”
The 15-time main champion is just not solely enjoying, but in addition internet hosting the four-day occasion. Woods stated he feels bodily able to competing regardless of the lengthy layoff.
“The principle factor is my swing,” Woods stated. “I attempt to make it possible for I can all the time hit and stable. I don't have the identical velocity, I can't apply for a similar variety of hours and what my physique does every single day and week to week seems totally different. So much is predicated on my arms I've been constructing my swing the final 4 or 5 years based mostly on my arms and what it looks like.
For the best participant of his technology and maybe essentially the most recognizable athlete the world has ever seen, what’s left so as to add to his resume?
Nicely, a Genesis Invitational title, for one factor.
Woods is tied with Sam Snead for many PGA Tour profession wins (every has 82). He wants another to take the report for himself and it will be becoming if he will get to the place his legendary skilled profession started in 1992 as a 16-year-old beginner.
“A win could be good,” he joked when requested why he has but to overcome a course that he readily accepted fits his recreation, or no less than has.
“Historically I don't putt effectively right here and it's irritating as a result of I really feel comfy right here. A lot of the holes are from left to proper with small greens and I by no means go down with the putter. It's a pleasure to fader and I've all the time been a pleasant iron participant however for no matter purpose I didn't put collectively 4 good rounds on this occasion I had an opportunity one yr towards Ernie [Els] and hit a ball on the final gap.
Woods is making his fifteenth begin at Riviera. His finest outcome was a tie for second in 1999 when the Los Angeles-based occasion was referred to as the Nissan Open. Final yr, he made the reduce and finally tied for forty fifth. His opening spherical begins at 9:25 am Thursday in a trio with Justin Thomas and Gary Woodland, who was granted an exemption after his mind operation on the finish of final yr.
“It's been full circle for me, having come right here once I was 7 or 8 on the time Lanny. [Wadkins] he gained,” added Woods. “That is the place I performed my first tour occasion and now having my basis and being in command of that occasion, I hope to determine one thing out and put myself in rivalry. As for Gary, individuals don't perceive how scary it was for him. To come back again the best way he did… I applaud him for what he overcame.”
Relating to his new function as participant director on the tour's coverage board, Woods confirmed his perception that the Strategic Sports activities Group (SSG) is “the fitting associate for the PGA at a time once we want management “. He added that the Public Funding Fund settlement is ongoing. “We’re nonetheless negotiating. We want PIF to be part of our tour and our product, however financially we don’t have it now. We’re additionally on the lookout for fashions for the return paths for LIV gamers. There isn’t a reply now. There are totally different levels of concepts.”
Max Homa, additionally a Southern California native, considers Riviera his residence course. He acquired the trophy from Woods after profitable the event in 2021 and was the runner-up to Jon Rahm final winter. It totally embraces the phenomenon referred to as the “Tiger impact”.
“I'm glad to see the person isn't limping that a lot,” stated Homa, who teed off 40 minutes forward of Woods on Wednesday and has grown to stroll the Riviera, the place he has 4 consecutive top-10 finishes. Each occasion is healthier when Tiger is there. His presence alone makes it really feel just a little greater. When Tiger is round, there are much less individuals watching you, however extra individuals watching the golf and it's nice.
Homa is among the many gamers who seem to compete for the $4 million winner's test in a subject with 10 of the highest 11 gamers within the World Golf Rating and 9 of the highest 10 within the FedExCup standings. This new crop of expertise presents a problem that continues to drive Woods regardless of all that he has achieved.
“I nonetheless love competing, enjoying, being a part of the sport of golf,” he stated. “It's a recreation of life and I by no means wish to cease enjoying it.”
