Swanson: Tiger Woods and his fans go home happy at Riviera
The Genesis Invitational is far from over, but it’s already had a happy ending: Woods’ three consecutive birdies to close the opening round with a 2-under-par 69, which left him beaming and five shots off the lead
Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods is surrounded by fans on the 10th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods pumps his fist after making a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods tips his cap after making a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy on the first hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods stretches on the first hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crowds surround Tiger Woods as he tees off on the first hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crowds line the fairway on the first hole to see Tiger Woods during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods takes his ball on the first hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods hits from the rough on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods hits from the rough on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods lines up his putt on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods lines up his putt on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods putts on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods tees off on the third hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the third hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods watches his shot from the sand trap on the seventh hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods reacts to a missed putt on the seventh hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods drives this shot off the tee on the 9th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods tees off on the 10th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods hits out of the sand on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods reacts to a missed putt on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods watches his drive on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods watches his drive on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods gets a ruling on the 12th hole after a fan stepped on his ball, which landed in the rough, during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods lines up his putt on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods putts on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods tees off on the 14th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods smiles after getting a birdie on the 18th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods waves to the crowd on the 18th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods smiles after making a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa, of Valencia, watches his tee shot on the 12th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa, of Valencia, gets advice from his caddie on the on the 12th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa, of Valencia, lines up his putt on the 12th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tom Kim, left, and Max Homa, of Valencia, on the 12th green during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Keith Mitchell plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Jon Rahm tees off on the 10th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm hits a fairway shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm lines up his putt on the 10th green during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy hits out of the rough on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy hits out of the rough on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy putts on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy tees off on the third hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 9th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Justin Thomas tees off on the third hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Justin Thomas hits from the fairway on the second hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy reacts to a missed putt on the 10th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy tries to direct his putt on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy tees off on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Viktor Hovland lines up his putt on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tom Kim watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Early morning shadows of fans line the bunker on the 11th hole as Patrick Cantlay lines up his putt during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Patrick Cantlay hits a fairway shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Justin Thomas chips on to the green of the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Justin Thomas tees off on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Justin Thomas hits a chip shot on the 8th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Viktor Hovland hits out of a bunker on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Xander Schauffele chips on to the 12th green during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tom Kim hits a fairway shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Matt Fitzpatrick hits out of a sand trap on the 16th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Collin Morikawa plays his shot from the 10th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Matt Kuchar plays his shot from the sixth tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Matt Kuchar reacts after making birdie on the ninth green during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Max Homa hits from the fourth tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Max Homa hits from the fairway on the 13th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
The gallery watches Tiger Woods, bottom left, as hits from the first tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Jon Rahm hits off the fairway rough on the 11th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Rickie Fowler lines up a putt during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Patrick Cantlay hits from the 10th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Rory McIlroy hits out of the rough on the 12th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Matt Kuchar hits his approach shot to the seventh hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Collin Morikawa plays his shot from the fourth tee as Scottie Scheffler of the United States looks on during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Scottie Scheffler hits from the fourth tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Jon Rahm hits from the fairway on the 13th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Rory McIlroy chips on to the green of the 16th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera County Club. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Patrick Cantlay reacts to chipping in for birdie on the 17th hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods walks to the 18th tee during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday at Riviera Country Club. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
LOS ANGELES — Golf is really going to miss Tiger Woods when he’s gone.
But he’s not gone yet!
No, the man is still out here stockpiling triumphs. Still out here proving something even when we assume there isn’t a thing left to prove. Still hitting bombs so far down the fairway that members of the gallery kept having to ask one another Thursday: “Is that Tiger’s?”
Write it down: Woods’ latest achievement is Round 1 of the Genesis Invitational.
No, the tournament isn’t over yet, but it’s already had a happy ending: Woods’ three consecutive birdies to close the opening round with a 2-under-par 69, which left him beaming and tied for 26th, five shots behind co-leaders Max Homa and Keith Mitchell.
What the golf gods are saying is there’s a chance. Still a possibility that Woods might actually do what he said he’s come to do: “To get a W.”
Because it turns out the game’s greatest ambassador remains more than an ambassador. He’s still a great player, and maybe its greatest competitor – even at well-traveled 47 years old and less than 100% healthy, recovering from plantar fasciitis and the bad ankle injury he sustained in his February 2021 car crash on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
While his gait at times betrayed some discomfort, Woods remains a world-class clinician, and an incontrovertible fighter and that’s why a substantial surge of people tuned in – or showed up – to a golf tournament on a Thursday.
Jon Rahm opened with a 65 as he bids to return to No. 1 in the world. Matt Kuchar opened with a 30 on the front nine and settled for a 66, along with two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and Harris English, but few were watching them.
The diverse few-thousand-member army that traipsed around Riviera Country Club’s layout was there primarily to watch Woods – who was part of a supergroup that included Rory McIlroy (tied for seventh at 4 under) and Justin Thomas (tied for 14th at 3 under) – in action for the first time in seven months. It was also his first appearance at an “official” PGA Tour event since he played the 2022 British Open in July.
After following him and his enthusiastic welcome-back party for 18 holes at Riviera – where Woods is an uncharacteristic 0 for 11 – I’ll appreciate having those familiar variations of “Tiger” chants ringing in my ears for the next few days: “We love you, Tiger!” “You da man, Tiger!” “Tigerrrrr!” (Also: “Eldrick!” and “Big Cat!”)
Woods registered the commotion, but he tried not to, he said.
“I didn’t really look up as much. I probably should have, but I didn’t,” he said. “I was trying to calm myself down all day, trying to figure out what the hell I’m doing out here because I haven’t played.”
He might have another few days to soak up the love, because he’s set himself up to make the cut. After icing and treatment Thursday night, Woods and his pals will start on the 10th tee at 7:24 a.m. on Friday.
It’s hard to imagine he’ll actually catch the red-hot Homa; the Valencia High product who won this event two years ago already won the Farmers Insurance Open (in La Jolla) and the Fortinet Championship (in Napa) and could become the first player to win three PGA Tour events in the state of California in the same season since Tom Watson in 1980. And the first to do it in any state since 2013 – when Woods won three in Florida.
Fans can’t count him all the way out, but they can count on seeing Woods put up a fight at the tournament that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, whether they’re watching it through the viewfinder of their cellphone or content to experience it in the moment, with just their own eyes.
(The number of cameras pointed at Woods on each swing Thursday was the most I’d seen in … nine days, since it seemed everyone at Crypto.com Arena beside Nike founder Phil Knight had a device trained on LeBron James as he set the NBA record for most career points scored.)
However fans opt to relive the day, it was a doozy.
Woods went bunker-to-fairway-to-bunker before saving bogey with a gutsy 8-footer on No. 10 that left him even for the round.
And an errant tee shot on the 12th led to another bogey and it seemed as though Woods would have trouble making it out of the first couple of rounds, as if he might have to contemplate if battling uphill would be worth the trouble – especially if his body started barking.
But with temperatures starting to dip as the breeze picked up, something started to thaw with three consecutive pars before Woods hit his tee shot to within 5 feet to set up a birdie on the par-3 16th, his birdie there evoking a heartfelt chorus of “Thank you, Tiger!” from the gallery.
When he sank a birdie from 25 feet on the par-5 17th, his game face gave way to a grin. And then after he outdrove McIlroy on No. 18 to set up the 7-foot birdie putt to close the round, his smile took on some of the shape of Michael Jordan’s iconic shrug, as if to ask: “Can you believe this stuff?”
Whether it was that or a sense of relief – “I didn’t want to be the idiot host to miss it right in front of everybody after I just went birdie-birdie,” he said – it was a grand finale, for a first round. For Woods’ first round in a seven-month span during which he was missed mightily.
