Woods to set off his 2017 campaign at Torrey Pines
Former world No 1 Tiger Woods will launch this year’s campaign at Torrey Pines, where his eight triumphs include the 2008 US Open.
Organisers said on Wednesday that Woods had committed to the US PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, north of San Diego.
The January 26 to 29 event will be the 14time major winner’s first tournament this year.
Woods, 41, returned to golf last month at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, coming back from a 15month injury layoff.
Woods has won the US PGA Tour event at Torrey seven times, in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2013.
He won his most recent major title there in 2008 on the famed South Course, beating Rocco Mediate in an epic 19-hole playoff despite competing with knee and leg injuries.
Peter Ripa, chief executive of the Century Club, which manages the Farmers Insurance Open, said: “We’re thrilled our fans will have the opportunity to see Tiger in addition to what is already a very strong field for the Farmers Insurance Open.
“He has experienced tremendous success at Torrey Pines and in our tournament, and we couldn’t think of a better place for him to start the year. “Tiger’s presence will add to a deep and talented field that includes many of the top stars in the game [and] some exciting upand coming players.”
Woods was sidelined more than a year following back surgery.
His last appearance at the Farmers was in 2015, when he withdrew in the first round with back trouble.
Woods, who has 79 PGA Tour victories, will be making his first start in a PGA Tour full-field event since tying for 10th in the Wyndham Championship in 2015.
Woods has also committed to play in the Genesis Open from February 16 to 19 at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles and the Honda Classic (February 23 to 26) at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
