Tiger Woods, once the world's top-ranked golfer, is set to kickstart his comeback journey at the Genesis Open 2017, a tournament that holds significant sentimental value for him. This will mark his first PGA Tour event since the late '90s, having missed out on the initial opportunity back in 1992 due to failing to make the cut at the Riviera Country Club.
The venue, nestled in Los Angeles, California, was a turning point in Woods' life as a 16-year-old, teetering on the brink of stardom with a weight of just 105 lbs. Regardless of his underwhelming performance, scoring rounds of 72 and 75, the experience left an indelible mark on his career.
Speaking of his upcoming return to Riviera, Woods beamed with nostalgia, reminiscing about his formative years and the historic significance of the course. In a Twitter post promoting the event, he fondly recalled that it was his first PGA Tour event, with the tournament serving as a transformative moment in his journey.
Cypress, his birthplace, is barely an hour's drive from the Riviera Country Club. The course's enduring allure and his resonant connection to it encapsulate the longstanding love affair between Tiger Woods and the game.
Tiger Woods' comeback at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas was a display of both nostalgia and new beginnings. Garnished with 24 birdies, the 40-year-old's performance on the course was commendable despite his 14-stroke deficit to eventual champion Hideki Matsuyama.
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