Tiger Woods will make his 2025 debut at next week’s Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, the site of eight of his PGA Tour wins. It will mark his first official PGA Tour start since playing in the Open Championship last July. The tournament made the announcement on social media on Friday.

While Woods has made recent appearances in his TGL indoor simulator league and December’s parent-child PNC Championship, his competitive schedule has been severely limited by ongoing health issues. The 15-time major champion missed his own Hero World Challenge in December while recovering from his sixth documented back surgery—his first such procedure since 2021. This latest operation followed a challenging 2023 season where Woods was largely sidelined after undergoing a subtalar fusion to address post-traumatic arthritis in his right foot, stemming from injuries sustained in his 2021 car accident.

Recent history suggests a difficult road ahead. Since his historic 2019 Masters victory, Woods has struggled to recapture his form, failing to crack the top 20 in any major championship. His 2024 campaign was particularly trying, with three missed cuts and a withdrawal in five starts. Tournament completions have become increasingly rare—Woods has played all four rounds of an official event just three times in the past four seasons, limiting his appearances primarily to majors, the Genesis Invitational, and unofficial events.

However, Torrey Pines holds special significance for Woods. He has claimed seven PGA Tour victories in regular events at the San Diego venue and also perhaps his most legendary major triumph — the 2008 U.S. Open, which he won while competing with fractures in his leg. This year’s Genesis, temporarily relocated from Riviera Country Club due to Los Angeles County wildfires, will utilize only Torrey’s challenging South Course, with was set up at near-major conditions for the recent Farmers Insurance Open, which incorporated both North and South layouts.

Earlier this week Woods announced his mother Kultida had passed at age 80. While his competitive future remains uncertain, Woods’ participation has been secured through a PGA Tour Policy Board exemption granting him entry into all signature events.

Looking ahead, Riviera Country Club is scheduled to resume hosting the Genesis Invitational in 2026, part of an impressive lineup of upcoming events including the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, 2028 Summer Olympics golf competition, and 2031 U.S. Open. Along with playing, Woods will serve as host of the Genesis, which benefits his TGR Foundation.

Main Image: Stuart Franklin/R&A