PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — Tiger Woods is back. Again.
For how long this time given his crowded injury history, nobody — even him — knows.
Woods, who hasn’t played in a full-field PGA Tour event since the 2023 Masters at Augusta National, where he was forced to withdraw with ankle pain, will tee it up at 12:25 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera alongside Justin Thomas and Gary Woodland.
Woods will play with a fused ankle from surgery and a new caddie, Lance Bennett, who’s worked for Matt Kuchar in his prime and has also worked more recently for Sungjae Im and Davis Riley and worked with LPGA stars Juli Inkster, Paula Creamer and Lorena Ochoa.
Woods’ previous caddie, Joe LaCava, is now working full-time with Patrick Cantlay.
Asked what would make this week a success for him, Woods said, “A nice W would be good.”
“I haven’t done well at this event,” Woods went on. “I’ve played this event since ’92 and I have never won. Hopefully, I can figure something out and get myself in contention and maybe get a W.”
This week marks the three-year anniversary of Woods’ near-fatal car crash that took place the day after the final round of the 2021 Genesis.
Asked if this week elicits memories of that day and what the grind back to playing again has been like, Woods seemed uncomfortable going there.
“As far as the accident, that happened,” Woods said. “It doesn’t really have that much bearing on the history of this event. Physically, I hurt each and every day. That’s part of having surgeries and rehab. But I’m excited about this week and competing and playing.”
Woods’ pro-am partners on Wednesday included former Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks and Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
“Josh’s game, considering what he does for a living and the pounding that he takes on his body, is good,’’ Woods said. “You can the enjoyment and the addiction he has for the game. He asked unbelievable questions about how he can get better that only athletes can ask.’’
For Hicks, who grew up in L.A. and was a scratch golfer by the time he was 12, it was his first time playing with Woods.
“When I was younger, I played all the courses he played,” Hicks said. “I’ve never played with him before today and to be out here playing with the greatest player ever right now is surreal.”
Hicks is married to Woods’ half-niece Cheyenne Woods.
He said Cheyenne reached out to Tiger about coming to see him play Riviera this week, and Woods told her there was an opening in his pro-am foursome and asked if Aaron would be interested.
Woods said he chose Bennett as his caddie because he’s “very down to earth and loyal” and “sees golf courses the way I do.”
“I had a great relationship with him over the years when he caddied for Kuch,’’ Woods said. “We’re going to be a great team and we really look forward to the challenge.”
