Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior WriterFeb 15, 2024, 06:37 PM ET
CloseSenior college football writer Author of seven books on college football Graduate of the University of GeorgiaOpen Extended Reactions
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — A reporter didn’t want to mention the most feared five-letter word in golf when asking Tiger Woods about his next-to-last swing in Thursday’s opening round of the Genesis Invitational.
The 15-time major champion said it for him.
“Oh, definitely, I shanked it,” Woods said.
Woods, making his 2024 season debut and his first start in an official PGA Tour event since the Masters in April, said he was suffering back spasms during the last few holes at Riviera Country Club.
When Woods attempted to hit an 8-iron from the right side of the 18th fairway, his back locked up. His ball rocketed dead right into a eucalyptus tree and came to a rest behind four trees.
“Well, my back was spasming the last couple holes and it was locking up,” Woods said. “I came down and it didn’t move, and I presented [the] hosel first and shanked it.”
Somehow, Woods was able to hit his third shot onto the green. He two-putted for bogey. It was a disappointing finish to his round, leaving