Tiger Woods seeks 'W' at Genesis Invitational 3 years after car crash

May 2024 · 5 minute read

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Tiger Woods is back. Again.

For how long this time, given his littered injury history, nobody knows — not even him.

When Woods tees it up at 12:25 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, alongside Justin Thomas and Gary Woodland, it’ll mark the first full-field PGA Tour event he’s played since the 2023 Masters at Augusta National, where he was forced to withdraw with ankle pain.

Tiger Woods with caddie Lance Bennett during the Genesis Invitational pro-am
on Feb. 14, 2024. Getty Images

A short time after the Masters, Woods underwent surgery to have his right ankle fused, an injury that resulted from his February 2021 car crash the day after the Genesis concluded.

He’s since played in two “soft’’ events — the Hero World Challenge, his own small-field invitational in the Bahamas; and the PNC, a hit-and-giggle event with his son, Charlie, as his partner.

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This week is for real, certainly a litmus test to how much he’ll be able to play going forward this year. The loose plan is for him to play at the Players Championship and Masters in the coming few months.

Woods plays this week with a lot of new elements in his life.

Among them is a new caddie, Lance Bennett, who Woods got to know when Bennett was caddying for Matt Kuchar.

Bennett, at least for the moment, replaces Woods’ long-time looper, Joe LaCava, who’s now working full-time for Patrick Cantlay.

Woods said he chose Bennett as his caddie because he’s “very down to earth and loyal’’ and “sees golf courses the way I do.’’

“I had a great relationship with him over the years when he caddied for Kuch,’’ Woods said. “We’re going to be a great team and we really look forward to the challenge.’’

Tiger Woods was involved in a car accident on Feb. 23, 2021 after the Genesis Invitational. AP

This week also marks the first one with Woods not wearing any Nike apparel. On Monday, he unveiled his new personal line of clothing and shoes.

Though Woods’ foundation hosts this tournament, this week is mostly about the golf, how his body and game hold up, whether he can make the cut and play the weekend, and even possibly get himself into contention.

Asked on Wednesday how he would define a successful week, Woods said, “A nice W would be nice.

Tiger Woods needed leg surgery after the crash. AP

“I haven’t ever won this event,” he said. “I played in this event since ’92, and the years I’ve played I still have never won this event. Hopefully, I can figure something out and get myself in there in contention and maybe get a W at the end of the week.’’

That seems unrealistic, but it’ll be fascinating to see what version of Woods is on display this week.

This week marks the three-year anniversary of Woods’ near-fatal car crash.

Tiger Woods with Bills quarterback Josh Allen at the Genesis Invitational pro-am on Feb. 14, 2024. Getty Images

Asked if this week elicits memories of that day and what the grind back to playing again has been like, Woods spoke as it he was uncomfortable going there.

“As far as the accident, that happened,’’ Woods said. “It doesn’t really have that much bearing of the history of this event. Do I feel it physically? Yeah, I do. Absolutely, each and every day. Unfortunately, that’s part of having surgeries and rehab. But I’m excited about this week, and I’m excited about competing and playing.’’

Woods playing this week has added a palpable buzz among his fellow players.

Tiger Woods with former Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (at the Genesis Invitational pro-am on Feb. 14, 2024. Getty Images

“Every event’s better when Tiger is here,’’ said Max Homa, the Genesis winner in 2021 who had the trophy presented to him by Woods the day before the car crash. “It’s pretty amazing what he brings to an event with his presence on the golf course. Obviously, it’s great that he’s had his name attached to this, but you want to see him play. All the fans want to see him play. It just makes the event feel a bit bigger.’’

Woods looked strong in his pro-am round Wednesday, striking the ball well. He eagled his first hole of the day, No. 1. The questions in terms of his form will be how sharp his short game is in the heat of battle after such a long layoff and how his body holds up.

“My ankle doesn’t hurt anymore because no bones are rubbing anymore,’’ Woods said. “But … other parts of my body have to take the brunt of it. Just like my back is fused. Other parts of my body have taken the brunt of that. I have two different body parts that are now fused, [and] other parts of the body have to adapt.

“As far as the love, I still love competing, I love playing, I love being a part of the game of golf. This is the game of a lifetime, and I don’t ever want to stop playing.’’

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