Tiger Woods Withdraws From Genesis Invitational With Illness

LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods’s first event of 2024 ended abruptly on Friday afternoon when he withdrew after just six holes at the Genesis Invitational.

Woods, who is host of the event at Riviera Country Club and was playing with Justin Thomas and Gary Woodland, summoned rules officials after hitting his tee shot into the fairway at the 7th hole and was soon getting on a cart and leaving the golf course.

“So, he started feeling some flu-like symptoms last night,’’ said Rob McNamara, an executive vice president with Woods’ TGR Ventures. “Woke up this morning, they were worse than the night previous. He had a little bit of a fever 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.’’

McNamara added that the reason for the withdrawal was not due to any back or leg issues. “Not physical at all, his back’s fine,’’ McNamara said. “It was all medical illness, dehydration, which is now the symptoms are reversing themselves now that he’s had an IV.’’

On Thursday during an opening-round 72, Woods complained of back spasms late in the day, one of which led to a shanked shot on the final hole.

And while he appeared to have some back issues during Friday’s round, a couple of trips to a bathroom during his time between putts on the 5th green and again before teeing off on the 6th suggested there might be some other issues.

After making a par at the par-3 6th and hitting his ensuing tee shot, Woods was seen talking to officials before getting to the fairway and then getting in cart. He was driven up to Thomas and Woodland, told them he was leaving and was then taken to the clubhouse.

Woods, 48, has made just six official starts since the February 2021 car crash that led to severe injuries to his lower right leg, ankle and foot. He’s now withdrawn three times and missed a cut in those six starts.

He was making his first official start since withdrawing from the Masters last April during the third round. He later had a fusion surgery on his right ankle and reported in December at the Hero World Challenge that he felt good enough to compete once a month, starting with this tournament.

“My ankle doesn't hurt anymore because no bones are rubbing anymore,’’ he said on Wednesday. “But then again, it's different. Other parts of my body have to take the brunt of it. Just like my back is fused so other parts of my body have taken the brunt of that. I have two different body parts that are now fused. Yeah, other parts of the body have to adapt.’’

The 15-time major champion who has 82 PGA Tour victories, announced a new clothing line earlier this week. Presuming he has no other issues, Woods might try to play again prior to the Masters at the Players Championship, which begins March 14.