To the delight of fans around the world, Tiger Woods is making his PGA Tour return next week at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles, an event his foundation hosts.
Fans, however, aren’t the only ones excited about the 15-time major winner’s announcement.
After completing their rounds Friday at the WM Phoenix Open, Max Homa and Jon Rahm were among the players to comment about Woods’ plans.
“That’s awesome. I imagine we’ll be carrying him down the hill on 1 and up it on 18,” Homa joked. “Which no one would mind. But it’s awesome. I’m really glad he’s back. I think we’re privileged any time he plays now. Obviously we don’t know his schedule. Seems like he’s going to try to play the majors. So it’s really awesome he’s playing a Tour event. Especially his event. One of my favorites.”
Homa won the Genesis two years ago.
“So I’m stoked to see him back out there. Yeah, he’s always remarkable. You never know what he’s going to do. So it will be fun to watch him play some golf,” he said.
Like Homa, who, with Matt Fitzpatrick, was the last player to be paired with Woods in a competitive round, Rahm knew nothing of the news until asked Friday afternoon.
“He’s playing Riv? Nice. Well I didn’t know. Great to hear. Great to hear,” he said. “After all he’s gone through. It’s incredible that he keeps trying. Spoke to him at Bahamas. Everything he had on his leg and then you add the plantar fasciitis. I really feel for him in that sense.
“But I know he’s going to keep doing everything he can to still try to win more tournaments. Possibly get that 83rd win. Hopefully, obviously in his mind a major, right? So it’s a true honor for all of us. Any time Tiger can be present on the golf course playing makes the tournament even better. So I’m hoping he can play comfortably and I’m hoping he can play well.”
Scottie Scheffler, who holds the 36-hole lead in Scottsdale as the defending champion, kept it short and sweet.
“I did not, no. I’m just hearing that now,” he said when told of the news. “That’s exciting for us. It will be good to see him back out there next week.”
Tom Kim, an admittedly ‘big fan’ of Woods, can’t wait for next week.
“I think it’s great for the game. As a player, even me a big fan of Tiger, it’s going to be awesome for him to be in the field. Hopefully I can kind of work myself up and kind of hopefully play with him if I get the chance.”
Jason Day, Woods’ long-time friend, is as excited as anyone.
“That’s great. That’s awesome. That’s actually really good news. I’m actually really happy about that. It’s good that he’s out, he can walk and it’s nice to be able to see that. So, yeah, I’m excited to see him next week. That’s going to be fun.”
