Tournament host Tiger Woods has put his PGA Tour season debut on hold, saying he decided to withdraw from this week’s Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines while processing the recent death of his mother.
The opening round of the February 13-16 tournament, which was relocated to San Diego from Pacific Palisades this year due to the Los Angeles wildfires, will be held nine days after the 15-times major champion’s mother died. “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss,” Woods, 49, said in a post on X. “Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my Mom’s passing.”
Woods, who has played a limited schedule since his Feb. 2021 car crash and said last December he was not “tournament sharp yet”, has not played in an official PGA Tour event since missing the cut at last July’s British Open. Since the British Open, Woods had surgery in September on his lower back, played with his son in a laid-back 36-hole event in December and competed twice last month in the indoor team golf league he co-founded. The Genesis Invitational is PGA Tour Signature Event that has a $20mn purse and benefits Woods’ TGR Foundation.
LIV golfers receive pathway
to Open Championship
Players from the LIV Golf League now have a qualification pathway into the Open Championship, the R&A announced. The leading player in the top five of the LIV Golf standings at the end of June who is not already exempt will earn a spot in the 153rd Open Championship on July 17-20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
“The Open is a global championship for the best men’s golfers, and each year we review our exemptions to ensure that we offer pathways into the championship based on results achieved on the leading professional tours,” Mark Darbon, CEO of The R&A, said in a statement. “We acknowledge that players competing in LIV Golf should also have the opportunity to secure places in The Open through its individual season standings as well as existing pathways.”
The selection will happen after LIV Golf’s tournament in Carrollton, Texas, from June 27-29. “We thank Mark Darbon for his leadership and the R&A for taking this step for the benefit of moving golf forward,” LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said.
“The Open Championship is one of the most prestigious events in all of sports. The acknowledgement that competitors from the LIV Golf League and The International Series will have the opportunity to play in golf’s original major is a true testament to the strength of fields and the R&A’s commitment to golf fans around the world. LIV will continue our mission to bring the best players to the four corners of the world to grow the game. We are excited for the future of this great sport.”
LIV Golf members who are already exempt for the Open Championship as past major winners include Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka.
The R&A’s announcement follows a similar move announced last week for the US Open by the United States Golf Association. As of May 19, the leading golfer in LIV’s top three not otherwise exempt will gain a spot in the June 12-15 tournament at Oakmont Club.