Tiger Woods faced a challenging start to the Genesis Invitational’s opening round on Thursday, grappling with a back injury that contributed to him finishing 1-over par. Despite his storied career, Woods has yet to clinch a victory at the Riviera Country Club, despite having participated in the event 12 times.
In a post-round interview, Woods revealed that his back troubles flared up notably on the 18th hole, where he described a moment of discomfort affecting his swing. “My back spasmed on it,” he recounted. “It had been spasming over the last three holes and it just locked up on me and didn’t move, didn’t rotate.”
This isn’t the first time Woods has contended with back issues. He disclosed that while he had previously experienced spasms at home, they hadn’t surfaced during competition until now, as reported by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
No one is immune to the dreaded shank.
Not even Tiger Woods. pic.twitter.com/6qJQY1W5yU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
With a history of multiple back surgeries, including a recent microdiscectomy in 2021 to address nerve pain, Woods has confronted persistent challenges related to his back health.
However, Woods’ injuries extend beyond his back. His appearance at the Genesis Invitational marked his return to the PGA Tour following surgery on his right foot last April.
The foot issue, stemming from a 2021 car crash that injured his right leg, forced him to withdraw early from the 2023 Masters after struggling visibly with discomfort. Initially hesitant about surgery, Woods eventually underwent a procedure to fuse two bones in his right foot.
Despite these setbacks, Woods remained resolute in his commitment to competition. Reflecting on his performance after the first day of the Genesis Invitational, he acknowledged some soreness in his right leg alongside the back spasms.
“Things are a little bit sore, but that’s to be expected,” he noted. “It’s nothing that we weren’t prepared for, and we’ve got some work to do tonight and tomorrow.”
Heading into the tournament’s second day, which features a 36-hole cut, Woods understands the importance of delivering a more consistent performance to remain in contention.
His opening day included a mix of seven pars, five birdies, and six bogeys, positioning him tied for 57th among 70 competitors. Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay surged to an early lead with an impressive 7-under-par 64.
With his eyes set on narrowing the gap between himself and the leaderboard’s summit, Woods prepares for his Friday tee-off at 2:54 p.m. ET, eager to demonstrate his resilience amidst physical adversity.
