07 February 2024 , 17:47
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Tiger Woods will make his return to competitive golf next week, with the 82-time PGA Tour entered into the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
Woods has not featured on Tour since last December's Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, but will now make his first start of the year at the Genesis. It is set to be a busy week for the 48-year-old, who will also take on hosting duties at the tournament.
Woods has acted as host of the event based out of Riviera Golf Course since 2020, and will play in the tournament for the second time in as many years.
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The 15-time major champion has played a reduced schedule over the past two seasons, as he continues to feel the effects of injuries sustained in a car crash in 2020, days after his maiden hosting duties at Riviera. In 2023 Woods featured just three times on Tour due to his fitness issues.
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Like 2024, he kicked off his campaign at the Genesis Invitational before returning for the Masters six weeks later. It proved to be a tough week at Augusta National though, as the five-time winner was forced to withdraw with an ankle injury on the Saturday.
Tiger Woods will host the Genesis Invitational (Getty Images)On the back of his ankle problem, Woods was forced to sit out the next eight months, before finally returning at the Hero World Challenge at the end of last year. His return at Riviera next week is expected to come with a huge announcement too.
Last month Woods confirmed that his iconic 27-year partnership with Nike Golf had come to an end following the expiry of his final contract. Taking to social media on Tuesday, the American appeared to drop a hint on what is to come next.
Alongside an intense headshot of himself, Woods tweeted: "The vision remains the same. 2.12.24." The teed up announcement date of February 12 will come a day before the opening round in Los Angeles next week.
The announcement in question appears to be in regard to his next apparel deal after parting ways with Nike. It is expected that this will come with TaylorMade, a brand Woods already uses for equipment.
In January it was revealed TaylorMade Lifestyle Ventures LLC had filed for the trademark 'Sunday Red', the colour famously worn by Woods when competing in the final round of an event. This appears to be the PGA Tour legend's new apparel line, which will no doubt be debuted at the Genesis next week.