In a disappointing turn of events, golf icon Tiger Woods was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational during the second round on Friday (Saturday, Manila time) due to illness, marking another setback for the 15-time major champion.
Woods’s longtime business partner, Rob McNamara, revealed that Woods had experienced “flu-like symptoms” on Thursday night, which persisted and worsened until he made the decision to withdraw after hitting his tee shot at the seventh hole.
“He had a little bit of a fever and that, and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy,” McNamara explained.
Concern heightened when an ambulance arrived at Riviera’s clubhouse, but McNamara assured that Woods had responded positively to on-site treatment for dehydration. Woods left the grounds in a courtesy car after receiving intravenous treatment.
“Ultimately the doctors are saying he’s got potentially some type of flu and that he was dehydrated,” McNamara stated. “He’s been treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much, much better.”
Woods’s unexpected departure overshadowed an impressive performance by American golfer Patrick Cantlay, who surged ahead with an eagle and four birdies, carding a six-under par 65 and amassing a 13-under total of 129. Cantlay’s commanding five-shot lead over his closest competitors matched the largest 36-hole lead in tournament history.
While Cantlay’s stellar play captured headlines, the focus remained on Woods, who endured an abrupt end to his first official PGA Tour event in over 10 months. His return to competitive golf comes after a tumultuous period marked by injury setbacks and recovery.
Woods withdrew from the rain-delayed third round of the Masters last April and subsequently underwent right ankle surgery to address lingering pain from injuries sustained in a car crash in 2021. His limited participation in official events over the past four seasons, coupled with missed cuts and withdrawals, underscores the challenges he has faced in returning to form.
