19 January 2024 , 09:16
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Tiger Woods will make his first appearance on the PGA Tour in 2024 next month, competing at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera alongside his event hosting duties.
Woods played just three times in 2023, as his battle with injuries continued. After a seven-month layoff, he competed at last year's Genesis, before returning to the course for the Masters six weeks later. His trip to Augusta was one to forget though, after being forced to withdraw through injury ahead of the third round.
Another lengthy period away from competing followed, as the golfing great's recovery from an ankle issue took eight months. He finally made a second comeback of the season at the year-ending Hero World Challenge in December.
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Having ended the campaign in the Bahamas, the Tour have announced that he is set to begin his year in Los Angeles in February after a two-month break. His return comes after Woods pledged to play one event a month on the circuit during 2024, starting in February.
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“I think that the best scenario would be maybe a tournament a month," he said whilst on hosting duties at the Hero World Challenge in December. "Again, we have it set up right now the biggest events are one per month. It sets itself up for that.
"Now, I need to get myself ready for all that. I think this week is a big step in that direction.” Woods has opted to skip competing in January, before gearing himself up for a return in LA next month at an event and golf course that is close to his heart.
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Tiger Woods is hoping to play once a month in 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)The 15-time major champion's PGA Tour debut came at Riviera, as he teed it up as a 16-year-old at the Los Angeles Open back in 1992. A quarter of a century later - and after announcing himself as arguably golf's greatest ever player - Woods was named tournament host under its new sponsor name Genesis, and has remained in the role ever since.
After his trip to California, it is expected that Woods' March appearance will come at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The following four months will then host golf's four majors, with the Masters in April, PGA Championship in May, US Open in June, before major season comes to an end with The Open in July.
After that it remains to be seen what the five-time Masters champion's plans will be for the remainder of the year, with the American's fitness set to play a big part throughout. Despite playing in just six events in two years thanks to injury, Woods is confident he can maintain his 2024 plan.
"I think that I can get into the rhythm of it," he added last month. "I think that having a couple of weeks off to recover, a week to build up, there's no reason why I can't get into that rhythm. It's just a matter of getting in better shape basically. I feel like my game's not that faroff, but I need to get in better shape."