Tiger Woods reminisces what blew him away ahead of an emotional return to Riviera
Tiger Woods is finally back in action and is ready to play in competitions and win more trophies. The 15-time major champion recently announced that he will compete in the 2023 Genesis Invitational tournament, which will take place from February 16 to February 19.
Woods is back to play at the Riviera course, where he made his PGA Tour debut in 1992 at the age of 16. He played on a sponsor exemption as an amateur player and shot 72-75. However, it was not enough to make the cut and was left behind by six shots.
Riviera is where @tigerwoods went from watching his heroes, to playing alongside them in his first @pgatour start. https://t.co/mw9fLJ8Uvc
The Genesis Invitational recently shared a video of Tiger Woods talking about his experience at the historic Riviera golf course. Woods said:
"I first came here when I was in single digits in age, so it's been a while. This was the first professional match, I have been to and I just watched the guys playing, the guys I have watched on TV. "
He went on to add:
"It was nice to see guys I looked up to while growing up, watching as a kid, and then eventually, being out here on tour and playing against them, with them."
Tiger Woods last participated in the PNC Championship in December 2022, playing alongside his son Charlie Woods and finishing in a tie for eighth place. He decided to return to the course as he was healing from a leg injury that had forced him to take a break.
Tiger Woods's history at the Riviera Country Club
Tiger Woods had a special connection with the Riviera Country Club as he made his PGA Tour debut on the golf course. Woods also serves as the host of the Genesis Invitational tournament. It was called the Los Angeles Open before being renamed the Genesis Invitational Open.
The Tiger Woods Foundation became the chief charitable beneficiary of the tournament, which he organized annually at the Riviera Golf Course.
The Jupiter-based golfer has never won a tournament at the Riviera Country Club, which is pretty shocking as he has won more than 100 professional events and 82 PGA Tour events. Woods finished as the runner-up in 1999.
He has competed at Riviera 13 times in his career so far but never registered a victory. However, he finished in the top 10 thrice and eight inside the top 25. He earned $837,842.14 while playing the golf course.
Here is the full history of Tiger Woods at the Riviera Country Club:
- 1992: Missed cut
- 1993: Missed cut
- 1997: 20
- 1999: 2
- 2000: 18
- 2001: 13
- 2003: 5
- 2004: 7
- 2005: 13
- 2006: W/D
- 2017-18: Missed cut
- 2018-19: 15
- 2019-20: 68
Woods was involved in a deadly car accident in 2021 and has not played in many tournaments since then. He competed at the PNC Championship and also at the 2022 Masters.
Woods played alongside Rory McIlroy at the Match but lost to Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. He is now looking for his first victory at the Riviera Club.