Tiger Woods has spoken following his shock withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational indicating he was “resting and feeling better” a day after we learned it was a bout of flu that sidelined the Riviera tournament host.
This is good news that it was nothing super serious that dramatically forced Woods from the course and clearly now continues to all go well for his to return to Augusta National early in April.
Though the sight of Woods being driven from the course after hitting his tee shot at the seventh hole on Friday and an ambulance arriving at the Riviera clubhouse raised serious concern for the 15-time major winner’s health but that was eased in learning he was feeling dehydrated and this due to a bout of influenza.
Woods posted the following message on his X account:
I would like to confirm that I had to withdraw from @thegenesisinv due to illness, which we now know is influenza. I am resting and feeling better. Good luck to the players this weekend. I’m disappointed to not be there and want to thank @GenesisUSA and all the fans for their support.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 17, 2024
Woods’ longtime business partner Rob McNamara informed the media on Friday that Woods woke up that day with a fever, was feeling dizzy during the round and after withdrawing received treatment, including intravenous fluids.
When Woods, 48, returned to the clubhouse he was not seen for about two hours and the sudden arrival of an ambulance and two fire trucks sparked concern, though it was later reported that they were there to deliver IV fluid bags.
Woods eventually emerged and walked out of the clubhouse and into the passenger seat of a courtesy car.
There was plenty of excitement ahead of this week’s event as it marked the first PGA Tour start for Woods since last April’s Masters, where he withdrew before completing the third round because of plantar fasciitis.
Woods had ankle surgery later that month and spent most of the rest of the year recovering.
Woods returned to professional golf at the end of November in an unofficial PGA Tour event — the Hero World Challenge — and at the time said he intended to play one PGA Tour event a month this season.
