Tiger Woods announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Genesis Invitational following the recent passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, who died at the age of 80 on February 4. Woods had been expected to compete in the event, marking a potential return to the PGA Tour after a lengthy hiatus. However, personal circumstances have led him to step back temporarily from the golfing scene.
Woods has also been in discussions with President Donald Trump about expediting a potential deal between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which supports LIV Golf. This high-level engagement suggests Woods' continued influence in the sport's business landscape, even as he navigates personal challenges.
The legendary golfer has not participated in an official PGA Tour event since missing the cut at The Open at Royal Troon Golf Course in Scotland last July. His absence from the field at THE PLAYERS Championship, as confirmed when the lineup was released late Friday, continues this trend. This development means Woods' 2025 debut will no longer occur at next week's prestigious tournament, where Scottie Scheffler aims to make history by joining Jack Nicklaus as the only three-time winners of THE PLAYERS Championship and potentially becoming the first to secure three consecutive victories.
Woods has faced ongoing health challenges, including undergoing microdecompression surgery on his lumbar spine in mid-September to alleviate lower back pain. This procedure marks his sixth back surgery over the past decade. Despite these setbacks, Woods has expressed a desire to return to more active participation this season. He has recently engaged in TGL matches and participated in the competitive Seminole Pro-Member tournament in Florida alongside fellow PGA Tour players.
In terms of future plans, Woods remains uncertain about his schedule leading up to the Masters, which begins on April 10. While he is likely to compete in this major championship, it is yet unclear if he will participate in any other events beforehand. Addressing reporters in South Florida, Woods explained his current stance:
"Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I'll start looking at the schedule." – Tiger Woods
THE PLAYERS Championship is notable for offering 750 FedExCup points to its winner, making it one of five significant events this season. However, Woods' absence opens up opportunities for other players to seize these valuable points.
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