LOS ANGELES — One last commitment remained for the world’s most famous gamer-host.
With a sore back, a swollen ankle and a sore foot, Tiger Woods had just finished a respectable 45th place at the Genesis Invitational in his first competitive appearance in seven months. But he couldn’t just clean out his locker and fly back to South Florida. As much as he would have liked to plunge into an ice bath to soothe the soreness in his right leg, he was needed for the awards ceremony with champion Jon Rahm. And so, two hours later, Woods stayed with Riviera in his Sunday uniform: A black vest and red shirt, with black pants hiding layers of athletic wraps and padding.
Woods has won just about everything in the sport but has never won an event at this historic venue, just like Jack Nicklaus before him. “We’ll try again next year,” he smiled. As Rahm conducted his on-camera interviews, Woods stood nearby on the putting green, hands in pockets, and dutifully listened to the instructions of his founding team members. He posed for photos with a few volunteers. He hugged and congratulated Max Homa on a hard fought second place. Then he got a pat on the back: it was time for him to crown the latest tournament winner, the guy who’s starting to get used to things like that.
Woods carefully descended the 52 steps to the 18th green of the Riviera. He welcomed the opening speech. And then he grabbed the microphone.
Complete scores of The Genesis Invitational
“Jon is the best player in the world and he showed exactly why,” boomed Woods. “The heart, the determination and the fight – that’s one of the things we’re going to learn about Jon.
“So please understand and respect how good this guy is. He’s just starting his career and we all have a chance to see it.”
But Woods not only sees it – he experiences it too. Rahm’s recent rampage through the Tour coincided with Wood’s latest comeback, and the message is clear: Reaching the summit again is only going to get harder.
Rahm: ‘Nice’ to be able to ride on the Riviera
Every Tiger Woods round feels meaningful these days due to its closeness. In Augusta, St. Andrews and Riviera, fans off the ropes literally yell “Thank you, Tiger!” although it’s not exactly clear for what. For appearance? To struggle through excruciating pain to entertain her? For his influence on the game? Who knows, but Woods still acknowledges them, more gratefully than at any time in his career.
The Genesis was his first non-major round since fall 2020. It is unknown how many more he will play in the future. Chances are, not many.
“I just can’t,” he said on Sunday. “This will be my future. That’s just my reality.”
While Rahm is about to fulfill his monster potential, Woods squeezes out every last drop of what’s left of him. That’s why every lap feels like something to enjoy. Even tour security secretly smuggled photos of the GOAT this week – you know, in case it’s one of the last tournaments he plays.
That Woods even competed here in LA came as a slight surprise. Sure there were selfish reasons for playing – the tournament benefits his foundation – but it was also a test run of sorts. He can hit balls at home, he can chip and putt at home, he can shoot 65 at home – but he can’t simulate the playing experience of a tournament. So before he headed to the Masters to make a Hail Mary bid at Major #16, he needed to see how he stacked up against the best regular-season field of the year.
BY Brentley Romine – Feb 19, 2023 @ 5:27pm
Tiger Woods shot 2 for 73 to complete his 72 holes at the Genesis Invitational on Sunday, an accomplishment in his own right.
These days, Woods’ biggest challenge is figuring out how to manage his calm against his rust. There are no instructions for this; his body hurts in different ways in different areas every day. But last year he learned what a tournament start requires.
“I was in the ice pretty much all night,” he said.
ice baths. Treatment.
Another ice bath. more treatment.
“It’s hard,” he said. “It’s tough mentally. It’s physically difficult.”
When Woods won the Masters in 2019, he played five warm-up events, building momentum in each one. His biggest obstacle at the time was a hard back. Now there are countless problems: There is still the back, which shoulders even more load because it cannot use the ground for strength. Woods still has plenty of pop, but his clubhead and ball speed on Sunday (172 mph) were a few ticks slower than the first three rounds (around 178-180 mph), a telltale sign he’s tiring after 90 holes was in five days. Now, two years after his serious accident, the bulky right leg limits his preparation time, bloating at the end of the day and requiring intensive post-round treatment. That’s why he only played 13 rounds of competition in 10 months. Therefore the Best case scenario this year it would be about 24 laps.
He certainly knows, deep down, that in order to make the Masters – to make anything more than the cut – he needs to play another tournament just to hone his goalscoring skills. The question is whether he can handle it.
Against the best players in the world and on a tricky, springy course, Woods finished the week outside the top 20 in all major statistical categories. Can every facet of his game be streamlined on the range and while whizzing around a cart at Medalist? Secure. Probably. But not to the extent required in the sport’s toughest test. As hard as he tries at home, he can’t simulate the eight to 10 miles of walking… and the focus and concentration… and the adrenaline rushes. An additional start at The Players would put him back in that competitive field and allow him to more accurately assess the state of his game, with the added benefit of perhaps the easiest walk of the year at TPC Sawgrass.
However, Woods said he’s undecided about his next appearance: “Honestly, I don’t know.” His golf is “okay,” he said, but his brittle physique isn’t. Much will depend on the next few days and how he responds to treatment.
This process is alien to Rah and the rest of the world elite.
The only recovery Rahm needs is popping some Advil after another victory celebration.
Chamblee gives Tiger’s Genesis performance an A
Rahm was nervous going into the last round of Genesis, and it was easy to see why.
He had never won three times in a tour season before, and now he was 18 holes away from completing a career first – on February 19th.
He could return to world No. 1 for the first time in a year.
He knew all about Hogan’s Alley, the list of winners at this historic venue.
And of course there was the tiger factor.
“I’m human after all,” he said, “and I’m aware of the magnitude of this moment.”
Now in his sixth year as a pro, Rahm already has a history with Woods.
It was at Wood’s old tournament, the Quicken Loans National, that Rahm made his pro debut with a sponsorship waiver in July 2016. A tie for third place this week helped earn him a tour card he probably won’t give up for oh the next two decades.
In his first Ryder Cup of 2018, Rahm Woods drew in Sunday singles. He was so shaky before the game that he had to confer with his captains, assistants, teammates and mental coaches – and then, after ebbing a narrow win, wept openly in front of Woods. Afterwards, he gushed, “It’s going to be hard to top this moment in my life.”
A few months later, Rahm performed the field at Woods’ show in the Bahamas, posing with the trophy for the first time, alongside his childhood hero.
“What did I admire?” said Rahm. “All of it. Every single aspect of his game and his mentality.”
But if he could single out one aspect, Rahm said, it would be this: “For the better part of 15 years, and even into 2019, he seemed to have the ability to make the putts he needed to make when he needed to make them on.” the back nine.”
The clutch gene also shaped Rahm’s early career. Take your pick: The marathon eagle putt to seal his first Tour title of 2017 at Torrey Pines. The crosswind putt to save Dustin Johnson at the 2020 BMW Championship. The back-to-back birdies to nail his first major at the 2021 US Open. He’s won every which way he can around the world, but in each one there seems to be a defining moment where he rises to the occasion.
Rahm’s best shots from the finals at Genesis
On a sun-soaked Sunday in Riv, Rahm twice handed over a three-shot lead to Homa in a thrilling duel with the Cali king, but he still wouldn’t be denied. Rahm added to his list of highlight moments that on 14 he let off a 40ft foot off the back edge and underscored the unlikely birdie by raising his putter and then hitting it in the air. His knockout shot came two holes later when he headed for the pin with an 8-iron, his ball flying just wide of the cup and finishing 3 feet away. Coupling. Once again.
“He’s a great golfer,” said Homa. “He has zero weaknesses. He’s been that guy for a long time.”
The two-stroke victory was Rahm’s third win of the season, but also his fifth title in his last nine global starts.
Since last fall he has competed against a total of 1,025 players. He only lost against 19 of them.
The much-maligned ranking system has finally caught up with the eye test.
“I don’t need a ranking to validate anything,” he said. “I’m having the best season of my life and I hope I can continue like this.”
BY Doug Ferguson – February 19, 2023 at 7:11 p.m
Jon Rahm returned to world No. 1 on Sunday by winning the Genesis Invitational.
It’s the best season of Rahm’s life…yet he’s confident enough to put his accomplishments in proper historical perspective.
Especially this week.
And especially with this host.
After all, Woods has recorded 13 seasons with three or more wins. As Rahm recited aloud some of Woods’ mind-boggling stats, all he could do was laugh.
“I’ve been able to get a very small aspect of that,” he said, “and hopefully I can continue to do a lot of great things this year to make my name one of its years.
“I’ve had a long time to appreciate and admire Tiger, but it took me six years as a professional to get to this point. To see him do it so quickly and so often is truly remarkable.”
Back at the trophy presentation, Woods had finally wrapped up his final commitment. He shook Rahm’s hand one last time, then gave the stage to the game’s newest alpha. While Rahm cradled the trophy and posed for photos, Woods walked back the 52 steps and held on to the railing.
As Woods was about to disappear into the clubhouse, a lonely voice called from the clubhouse balcony.
“Tiger! Augusta! This April, baby!”
With his chances dwindling, Woods will try like hell to be ready. Rahm will be there too, standing firmly in the way.
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