Tiger Woods insists he is “playing to win” at the Genesis Invitational as he makes his return to competitive golf.
While the 47-year-old featured at the PNC Championship and then the latest instalment of The Match at the end of last year, this week marks his first PGA Tour event since he missed the cut at the Open in July.
That was one of three competitive tournaments for Woods in 2022, the Masters and the PGA Championship being the other two, with his last non-major start on the PGA Tour coming in 2020.
Woods has made it clear over the past two years, since a serious car injury nearly resulted in him losing a leg, that he will never again play a full schedule. He is expected to tee it up at the four majors and then a few other events throughout the year.
The 15-time major champion has also been suffering with plantar fasciitis, and at a press conference on Tuesday admitted he is yet to walk 72 holes over four days this year. Woods confirmed his right leg is better than last year, but that his ankle was now causing him problems.
However, in a field at Riviera Country Club containing 19 of the top 20 players in the world, Woods has no intention of being a ceremonial golfer.
“If I’m playing, I’m playing to win,” Woods said.
“I know players have played as ambassadors for the game and try to grow the game but I can’t wrap my mind around that as a competitor. Making a cut is a great thing but if I’m entering an event it is always to get a W.
“There will come a point in time when my body won’t allow me to do that and it’s probably sooner than later.
“But wrapping my hand around that transition and being in an ambassador role - just playing and just trying to be with the guys out there - it is not in my DNA.”
