Tiger Woods has announced that he is ready to get back in the game and compete in his first tournament in seven months at the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational.

The 15-time major champion, who suffered severe leg injuries in a car crash in 2021, will be hosting the event at Riviera Country Club in southern California from 16th to 19th February.

Despite his struggles with injuries, Woods says he is not playing as an ambassador for the game but as a competitor. “If I’m playing, I’m playing to win,” he stated.

Woods played just three competitive events in 2022, the last being The Open Championship at St. Andrews, where he missed the cut. Despite this, he remains confident in his ability to compete and win, stating that he is there “to get a W.” With a field of 131 players and 19 of the top 20 ranked players in the world set to compete, the Genesis Invitational is poised to be one of the strongest on the PGA Tour this year.

The former world number one will be playing alongside good friends Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy in the first two rounds. Although he acknowledges that his body may not always allow him to compete, Woods is determined to make the most of his opportunities while he still can.

“Making a cut is a great thing, but if I’m entering an event, it’s always to get a W,” he said. “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.”

In addition to Woods, the Genesis Invitational will also feature world number one Scottie Scheffler, who recently defended his Phoenix Open title, and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who currently leads the FedEx Cup standings. With such a strong lineup, the tournament is sure to be a thrilling showcase of some of the world’s best golfers.

Leon Osamor