Getty Image / Cliff Hawkins
Just like the rest of the golf world, Tiger Woods was sitting in front of a TV watching Jon Rahm snatch a share of the lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and got the itch to swing some sticks.
For me, it meant I started putting some balls around the rug in front of my office TV. For Tiger Woods, the stakes were a lot bigger as he announced his immediate comeback to the PGA Tour begins next week at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Big Cat announced his triumphant return to Riviera just moments after Jon Rahm grabbed a share of the lead at -6, tied with Jason Day in the 2nd round of the Waste Management Open. Tiger’s announcement was coordinated across Instagram and Twitter for maximum effect:
I'm ready to play an ACTUAL PGA Tour event next week @thegenesisinv
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 10, 2023
You could almost hear the murmurs around the Waste Management Phoenix Open crowd after Tiger Woods made his comeback announcement.
The commentators on the PGA Tour’s broadcast for the WM Phoenix Open immediately started geeking out after Tiger Woods made his announcement. They’re still talking about it as I write this. And the golf world started getting HYPED UP on Twitter as well.
Tiger Woods Announced An Immediate Comeback Starting At Riviera
Tiger Woods will compete next week at Riviera.
His first start since The Open 2022. pic.twitter.com/oVvBhkLLdl
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 10, 2023
🚨#BREAKING: Tiger Woods has committed to playing next week’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera CC. The tournament host will be making his first official PGA TOUR start since 2020. TIGER. IS. BACK ☢️ pic.twitter.com/ZaugXWNMwX
— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) February 10, 2023
Both ‘Big Cat’ and ‘Tiger Is Back’ started trending on Twitter within minutes.
And just like that, Tiger Woods has already won the 2023 PIP rankings 👀
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) February 10, 2023
Tiger Woods hasn't played a non-major PGA Tour event since the Zozo in October 2020.
Next week, that changes. https://t.co/BSRNRSeeA4
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) February 10, 2023
The Riviera just became must-see TV after Tiger’s announcement.
82-time PGA TOUR winner Tiger Woods is committed to next week’s Genesis Invitational.
Thursday’s first round will be Woods’ first round in a non-major on the PGA TOUR since the final round of the 2020 ZOZO Championship on October 25, 2020 (844 days ago). https://t.co/sHkdLAVG4e
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 10, 2023
See you at Riv https://t.co/BNE4R5dzVH
— The Genesis Invitational (@thegenesisinv) February 10, 2023
Golf is infinitely more fun to watch when Tiger Woods is competing. Next week is going to be excellent.
Most diehard golf fans know this, but Tiger Woods made his PGA Tour debut at Riviera Country Club in 1992. It’s a special place for him and the sport of golf:
If the PGA Tour is smart, they’ll allow Tiger Woods to use a cart to complete a full comeback down the line. His injuries make walking 72+ holes the hardest part of competing. The sport is better with him in it.