[PHOTO: Sean M. Haffey]
Tiger Woods had to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club during the second round for an apparent and not yet disclosed illness, according to PGA Tour Communications.
Woods, 48, who was playing his first official PGA Tour event since having to withdraw after two rounds of last year’s Masters, played six holes in the second round and hit a strong tee shot on the par-4 seventh at Riviera. At that point, officials called for assistance and Woods boarded a cart and was taken to the clubhouse by a rules official.
An ambulance and fire engine were parked in front of the Riviera clubhouse after Woods’ WD, causing a large group of media to gather there. But the emergency vehicles eventually departed at about 2:40pm, local time, without a patient.
PGA Tour representatives were not immediately available for further comment.
At the time of his WD, Woods was one-over par for his round and two-over for the tournament. He was outside the bubble in terms of making the cut, which was projected at even-par when Woods stopped play.
The withdrawal continued a string of health-related obstacles to Woods continuing his playing career. He has entered just six tournaments since his February 2021 car accident, and now three of them resulted in withdrawals – the 2022 PGA Championship, 2023 Masters and now 2024 Genesis. Riviera was his first start since Augusta last April, after which he underwent surgery to fuse his ankle.
