To the delight of fans around the world, Tiger Woods will return on his PGA Tour next week at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles, an event hosted by his foundation.
Fans aren’t the only ones excited about the announcement of the 15-time grand winner, though.
After completing their rounds Friday at the WM Phoenix Open, Max Homa and Jon Rahm were among the players to comment on Woods’ plans.
“That’s great. I imagine we’ll carry him down the hill on 1 and up on 18,” Homa joked. “Which no one would mind. But it’s great. I’m really glad he’s back. I think that we’re privileged if he’s playing now Obviously we don’t know his schedule It looks like he’s going to try to play the majors So it’s really great that he’s playing a Tour event Especially his event A of my favourites.”
Homa won the Genesis two years ago.
“So I’m glad to see him there again. Yes, he is always remarkable. You never know what he’s going to do. So it will be fun to watch him play golf,” he said.
Max Homa and Tiger Woods meet at The 150th Open in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Like Homa, who, with Matt Fitzpatrick, was the last player to be matched with Woods in a competitive round, Rahm was unaware of the news until Friday afternoon.
‘He’s playing Riv? Nice. Well, I didn’t know. Good to hear. Great to hear,” he said. “After all he’s been through. It’s unbelievable that he keeps trying. I spoke to him in the Bahamas. Everything he had on his leg and then you add the plantar fasciitis In that sense, I really sympathize with him.
“But I know he will keep doing everything he can to still try to win more tournaments. Possibly that 83rd victory. Hopefully, clearly in his mind a major, right? So it’s a real honor for all of us. Every time Tiger can be on the golf course, playing makes the tournament even better. So I hope he can play comfortably and I hope he can play well.”
Scottie Scheffler, who holds the 36-hole lead in Scottsdale as the defending champion, kept it short and sweet.
“I didn’t, no. I’m only hearing that now,” he said when he heard the news. “That is exciting for us. It will be good to see him again next week.”
Tom Kim, an admittedly “big fan” of Woods, can’t wait for next week.
“I think it’s great for the game. As a player, even I’m a big fan of Tiger, it will be great for him to be in the field. Hopefully I can work myself up a bit and hopefully play with him when I get the chance.
Story originally appeared on GolfWeek
