Tiger Woods said he was “resting and feeling better” after his unexpected withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational. A day later, we found out the Riviera event host was suffering from the flu.
It’s wonderful to hear that Woods’ dramatic withdrawal from the course wasn’t caused by anything extremely dangerous, since everything is now clearly going according to plan for his early April return to Augusta National.
Though the 15-time major winner’s health was seriously feared when he saw Woods being driven off the course after hitting his tee shot at the seventh hole on Friday and an ambulance pulling up to the Riviera clubhouse, those fears were allayed when it was revealed he was experiencing dehydration as a result of a bout of
Rob McNamara, Woods’ longstanding business partner, told the media on Friday that Woods had a temperature when he woke up that day, felt lightheaded during the round, and after withdrawing, got treatment, including IV fluids.
Concern was raised when Woods, 48, did not return to the clubhouse for approximately two hours. Later, it was revealed that the unexpected appearance of an ambulance and two fire vehicles was due to the delivery of IV fluid bags.
Eventually, Woods came to and went through the clubhouse doors and into a courtesy car’s passenger seat.
This week’s tournament was highly anticipated since it was Woods’ first appearance on the PGA Tour since the April Masters, when he withdrew due to plantar fasciitis before finishing the third round.
Later that month, Woods underwent ankle surgery, and he recovered for the majority of the following year.
At the Hero World Challenge, an unofficial PGA Tour tournament, Woods made his professional golf comeback at the end of November. At the time, he stated his intention to play one PGA Tour event per month this season.