Tiger Woods Breaks Silence After Withdrawing From Genesis Invitational

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 16: Tiger Woods of the United States tees off the sixth hole during the second round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2024 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

On Friday afternoon Tiger Woods was forced to withdraw from his very first start of the season.

Nearly a year after he was forced out of the Masters, Woods was making his first competitive appearance on the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational. The 15-time major champion played well in his first round and sat around the cut line heading into the second round.

Unfortunately, Woods was forced to withdraw from the tournament. After hitting his tee shot on No. 7, he rode into the club house at Riviera Country Club and withdrew from the tournament.

Rob McNamara, Woods’ friend and the executive vice president of TGR Ventures, said Woods began suffering flu-like symptoms Thursday night. He was later treated by physicians Friday morning before being forced to withdraw.

“He had a little bit of a fever, and that was better during the warmup,” McNamara said. “But then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy. Ultimately, the doctors are saying he’s got 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.”

“It was all medical illness, dehydration, which is now the symptoms are reversing themselves now that he’s had an IV,” McNamara said.

On Saturday morning Woods confirmed he was diagnosed with the flu.

“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 support,” he said in a statement on social media.

It’s a tough break for Tiger, who will only be able to compete in a limited number of tournaments this season.