Tiger Woods has withdrawn from this week’s Genesis Invitational, releasing a short statement via social media on Monday.

Woods’ decision comes just days after saying he intended to not just host the PGA Tour’s signature event that his foundation runs but also to make it his first PGA Tour start since last July. It also comes, however, less than a week after Tiger’s announcement of the death of his mother, Kultida Woods.

In the statement, Woods noted that he is still processing the loss of his mom. After the death of his father, Earl Woods, in May 2006, Tiger did not play for a month before entering the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, where he missed the cut for the first time as a professional in a major championship. A month later, he won the Open Championship title at Royal Liverpool in what he has described as the most emotional victory of his career.

Woods is expected to attend the Genesis, which is being held this year at Torrey Pines G.C. in San Diego, moving from its regular home of Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, in the wake of the fires that have impacted much of Los Angeles County.

Many were excited for Woods’ return to see where his game is following yet another surgery to his back. In September, Woods had a microdecompression procedure on the lumbar spine to address nerve impingement. Woods said at the time it was necessitated by back spasms and pain he experienced during the 2024 season, one in which he made just five starts, missing the cut in three appearances and withdrawing midway through the second round at his Genesis Invitational.

Rehab following the September surgery caused him to miss his Hero World Challenge in December, although Tiger did compete two weeks later that the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie. Woods also has made two starts for Jupiter Links G.C., in the new golf simulator league, TGL, that he helped launch along with Rory McIlroy.

Mind you, this week’s forecast for Torrey Pines calls for rain on Thursday and Friday, making what is already a difficult walk for players even more challenging. No doubt it’s something Woods., who turned 49 in December, won’t mind missing out on.

Uncertain now is whether Woods will attempt to enter any other PGA Tour events—notably the Arnold Palmer Invitational or the Players Championship—to get some competitive reps in before presumably playing in the Masters in April.

Main Image: Kevin C. Cox