Tiger Woods withdraws from Genesis Invitational

Days after announcing his intention to play, Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week’s Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines. 

The former world No.1 has opted out of the event his foundation hosts as he mourns the death of his mother, Kultida, a week ago.

In a statement, Woods wrote: “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.

“Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my mom’s passing.”

His place in the field has been taken by 2024 Mexico Open champion Jake Knapp.

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The 15-time major champion, who hosts the tournament, would have been pegging it up on the PGA Tour for the first time since last summer’s Open Championship at Royal Troon.

It would also have been the 49-year-old’s first regular start on the tour since he was forced to withdraw from the same event 12 months ago. He managed a grand total of 11 competitive rounds in 2024, having targeted one tournament per month at the start of the year.

Woods was sidelined after the Open following further back surgery. After opting to sit out the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas at the start of December, he explained that he wasn’t quite ready to compete.

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“I’m not tournament sharp yet,” he said at the time. “I’m still not there.

“These are 20 of the best players in the world, and I’m not sharp enough to compete against them at this level. When I’m ready to compete and play at this level, then I will.

“The fire still burns to compete [but] the difference is the recovery of the body is not what it used to be.”

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Head of Content