EYE ON THE TIGER

Andy Wright goes behind the scenes at the Genesis Invitational to give a first-person account of following Tiger Woods and his impact on a tournament

- Andy Wright

The world of golf was put on red alert when Tiger Woods announced he’d be teeing it up at the Genesis Invitational. “I’m ready to play an ACTUAL PGA Tour event @thegenesisinv,” he tweeted. The prestigious tournament – sponsored by premium car brand Genesis – was the perfect stage for his first full-field event since that emotional walk up the 18th on the Old Course during the 150th Open Championship.

Such is his list of ailments that many wondered whether he might even linger on the Swilcan Bridge, doff his cap, perhaps raise his good leg, and commence the ‘goodbye wave’ routine that has become tradition for so many of the game’s greats. But that would have been too easy.

There was, however, an air of finality to what transpired on that sunny Friday afternoon in Fife. It wasn’t the end, but it certainly felt like an end – the beginning of his end as far as competitive golf goes, anyway. His withdrawal on Saturday at The Masters gives further weight to that statement.

That he chose to play at Riviera was important. It’s a place he’s always had an affinity with and was the venue for his PGA Tour debut in the 1992 Nissan Los Angeles Open as a scrawny 16-year-old. He was so unfamiliar in the environment that he forgot to remove his player’s badge before teeing off.

As the founder of the TGR Foundation, he also acts as the tournament host. But this was no PR stunt. At the ripe old age of 47, with a fused back and severely compromised right leg, he would be a fool to risk an unenforced health setback. No, he was here to win, as he alluded to during a spine-tingling pre-tournament press conference.

The hush