At the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, where he was playing for the first time this season on the PGA Tour, the 48-year-old was only able to finish six holes of his second round on Friday. He notified playing partners Gary Woodland and Justin Thomas of his withdrawal following his tee shot on the seventh.
Fans were concerned that Woods had experienced a relapse of the back problems that had dogged his later years of playing because he was brought to the clubhouse in a buggy. However, Woods’ business partner Rob McNamara later revealed that the 15-time major champion had been experiencing flu-like symptoms and was receiving treatment with an IV bag, confirming that Woods’ withdrawal was “not physical at all”.On Saturday, Woods confirmed on X that he had withdrawn from the tournament owing to sickness. “It is with regret that I must announce my withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational. It is now determined that the illness was influenza,” he added. I’m getting better and resting. I hope the players have a successful weekend. I want to express my regret for being unable to attend and my gratitude to Genesis and all of the supporters.”
After being forced to withdraw from The Masters last year, this was Woods’ first time playing on the PGA Tour. Soon later, he underwent ankle surgery to treat residual problems from a high-speed vehicle accident in 2021.
