Three members of golf’s walking wounded returned to the PGA Tour on Thursday with varying degrees of success. The Genesis Invitational tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, saw Woods, along with Tour winner Will Zalatoris and former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland, make their comebacks after being sidelined due to injuries.
Woods, 48, made his first official start since his withdrawal from the Masters in April. After making the 36-hole cut, Woods underwent surgery to fuse his right ankle two weeks later. Despite the challenges, Woods secured a sponsor invite into the prestigious Genesis Invitational tournament, which boasts a $20 million purse. Will Zalatoris, another invitee, withdrew from the last Masters due to back surgery at the tender age of 26. Meanwhile, Gary Woodland, the former U.S. Open champion, made his return to action after undergoing brain surgery in September. Woodland had yet to make a cut in three starts since his surgery.
On a delightful and sunny day near the city of angels, Woods attracted a large following eager to witness his return to form. His performance during the opening round at Riviera Country Club showcased both signs of brilliance and moments of rust. Woods carded five birdies and six bogeys, ultimately finishing with a 1-over-par 72.
Reflecting on his round, Woods commented, “It was one of those days, just never really got anything consistently going and hopefully tomorrow I can clean it up.” Despite the inconsistent performance, he remains optimistic about his performance going forward.
As Woods battled on the course, fans eagerly awaited the tee time of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Scott and Diane Scheffler, proud parents of Scottie, joined the masses in observing Woods’ return. Although Woods started his round strong with an easy two-putt birdie at the par-5 first hole, he struggled to find consistency, resulting in bogeys and missed opportunities throughout the round.
Woods struggled with nerves and adjusting to the adrenaline rush that comes with competing at the highest level. He acknowledged, “It’s just different, and that’s just a part of playing competitive golf.” Despite the challenges, Woods showcased glimpses of his brilliance with exceptional shots, particularly on the par-3 holes.
As the winds picked up after the turn, Woods’ score suffered. He encountered trouble on the par-4 holes, resulting in bogeys. His final hole was particularly challenging, as Woods hit an errant 8-iron shot that flew off to the right due to a shank. Reflecting on the moment, Woods candidly admitted, “Oh, definitely, I shanked it. Well, my back was spasming the last couple holes and it was locking up. I came down and it didn’t move and I presented hosel first and shanked it.”
Throughout the round, Woods’ short game showed signs of rust. Struggling to hit greens in regulation, he was put to the test with challenging scrambling opportunities. Ultimately, his short game ranked low among the field of competitors. Despite the difficulties, Woods remains focused on improving his performance in the days ahead.
As Woods continues on his comeback journey, one major question looms: how will his body hold up? Mark McCumber, a 10-time PGA Tour winner and analyst for PGA Tour Radio, emphasizes the importance of monitoring Woods’ physical condition on a day-to-day basis. McCumber states, “If he has his health, I’m not worried about his golf game; that hasn’t gone anywhere.”
Late in the round, Woods experienced back spasms, raising concerns about his physical well-being. This development is discouraging after all the hard work Woods has put into his comeback this season. Despite the minor setbacks, Woods remains positive, stating, “Foot’s good. Leg’s a little bit sore, things are a little bit sore, but that’s to be expected… We’ve got some work to do tonight and tomorrow.”
Looking ahead, Woods faces the challenge of making the cut to advance to the weekend at the Genesis Invitational. This tournament marks the first of three player-hosted invitationals, along with the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament. To make the cut, players must be within the top 50 or within 10 strokes of the lead.
As Woods reflects on his return to competitive golf, he seized the opportunity to play alongside Gary Woodland, who himself battled back from brain surgery. Woods expressed his joy in sharing the moment with Woodland, highlighting the challenges he has overcome.
Meanwhile, Will Zalatoris, one of the sponsor invitees, showcased his determination to reclaim his form. Zalatoris dominated the course, posting an impressive 66 after a strong start with six birdies in his first eight holes. Patrick Cantlay currently leads the field after a stellar round of 64.
Woods will return to the course for the second round at 2:54 p.m. ET alongside Woodland and Justin Thomas. As the tournament progresses, fans around the world await Woods’ continued journey on the comeback trail.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is Tiger Woods’ latest performance at the 2024 Genesis Invitational?
Tiger Woods made his return to the PGA Tour with a 1-over 72 in the first round at the 2024 Genesis Invitational.
Who are the other golfers returning from injuries at the Genesis Invitational?
Alongside Tiger Woods, Will Zalatoris and Gary Woodland also made their comebacks after overcoming injuries.
How did Tiger Woods perform in the opening round?
Woods showcased signs of brilliance with five birdies but also struggled with rust, resulting in six bogeys for a 1-over-par 72.
How did Gary Woodland fare in his return to action?
Woodland started strong with three consecutive birdies but faced challenges during the back nine, finishing with a 1-under 70.
Who currently leads the field at the Genesis Invitational?
Patrick Cantlay holds the clubhouse lead after an impressive round of 7-under 64.
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