LAST UPDATE | 17 Feb
TIGER WOODS IS said to be feeling “much, much better” after the 48-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational in California due to suffering flu-like symptoms.
The 15-time major champion, tournament host this week, returned to the PGA Tour on Thursday, finishing his opening round at the Riviera Country Club on one-over par.
But the American could not back that up a day later as he withdrew after six holes due to illness.
Rob McNamara, executive vice president of TGR Ventures, told PGATour.com Woods had started feeling flu-like symptoms on Thursday night.
“He had a little bit of a fever and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy,” McNamara said.
“Ultimately the doctors are saying he’s got some – potentially some type of flu and that he was dehydrated. He’s been treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much, much better and he’ll be released on his own here soon.”
Woods is still adapting to ankle fusion surgery, having undergone treatment in April last year after withdrawing from the Masters during the third round and he did not compete again until the Hero World Challenge in December.
He had suffered from a back spasm towards the end of his first round, shanking his second shot on the 18th from the fairway over into the trees on the right, eventually sinking a two-putt bogey to make a five.
Woods started in fine form on Friday, producing a birdie on the first, but back-to-back bogeys arrived from the fourth and he called it a day after a third par on the sixth left him one over for his round.
He was driven back to the locker room by a rules official.
Following Friday’s play, it was also announced that Jordan Spieth was disqualified for signing for an incorrect scorecard.
In a statement on X, the PGA Tour said: “Jordan Spieth has been disqualified from The Genesis Invitational for signing for an incorrect scorecard.
“Spieth signed for a 3 and made a 4 on No. 4.”
American Patrick Cantlay takes a five-shot lead into the weekend at 13-under, while Rory McIlroy fought to beat the cut after following up Thursday’s 74 with a flawless 66.
The Holywood man is now two-under and in a tie for 33rd. He shot a 74 yesterday at the Riviera Country Club in California.
McIlroy shot three birdies and an eagle on the par-five 11th holes during a bogey-free round.
🚨🦅☢️ Eagle for Rory McIlroy @TrackingRory
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) February 16, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Ix6cKJwGhx
The World No 2 had birdies on holes one, three, and the par-five 17th.
McIlroy could have been among the front runners at this stage but for a nightmare finish to his opening round yesterday.
He was three-under after ten holes and two-under when he stood on the 15th tee, but dropped five shots in his next two holes. A double bogey on the par-four 15th was followed by a disastrous triple-bogey on the par-three 16th, where he three-putted from inside eight feet. McIlroy did birdie the 17th, but gave that shot back with a bogey on the last to finish with a 74 yesterday.
Seamus Power made the cut too, with a round of 68.
Power endured a torrid start after shooting 74 on Thursday, but enjoyed a three-under showing in round two. He carded birdies on the first, third, seventh and 17th — there was a bogey on hole 15 — to remain in the competition.
The cut was +1, with Power currently even par overall.
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Additional reporting from The 42 Team.
