When The Genesis Invitational field was announced Friday, 15-time major champion Tiger Woods was listed among the Signature Event field. However, due to his mother Kultida’s recent passing, Woods announced Monday that he will not play. He will still be in attendance as the tournament host.
Woods would have been competing in his 21st professional event at Torrey Pines and his first since the Farmers Insurance Open in 2020.
Throughout the years, Woods has created some of golf’s most memorable moments at Torrey Pines. Let’s examine his top performances at the course, dating back to his first professional appearance in 1998.
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2020: Woods finishes inside top 10 at Farmers Insurance Open
Woods’ last start at Torrey Pines came in 2020, the same weekend when Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident. During that tournament, Woods demonstrated his resilience with his third straight top-10 finish, coming three months after his record-tying 82nd PGA Tour win. One highlight came when his approach shot from the fairway dramatically spun out of the cup.
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2013: Woods seals victory No. 8 at Torrey Pines
Overall, Woods has won eight times at Torrey Pines, matching his victory totals at Bay Hill and Firestone Country Club. His Torrey Pines victories include seven Farmers Insurance Open titles and one major championship. He also claimed six junior tournament victories at the venue. Woods dominated the Farmers Insurance Open with four straight wins from 2005-08 before securing his seventh victory in 2013.
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2008: Tiger Woods wins the Buick Invitational by 8
In the 2008 Buick Invitational, Woods displayed his dominance by winning by eight strokes. His victory included posting bogey-free rounds of 65 and 66 in the second and third rounds, respectively.
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1999: Tiger Woods breaks South Course record
During the 1999 Buick Invitational, Woods mounted a historic comeback. Entering the third round nine strokes behind the leader, he fired a South Course record 62, remarkably avoiding any 5 on his scorecard. He went on to win the tournament by two strokes.
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2008: U.S. Open comeback
Woods’ 2008 U.S. Open victory stands as one of major championship golf’s greatest performances. Despite competing with two stress fractures in his knee, he created several iconic moments:
- Victory in sudden death after an 18-hole playoff for his 14th major championship
- A 60-foot eagle putt from the back of the green on the par-5 13th in the third round
- A remarkable chip-in from an awkward lie in a bunker on the 17th hole
- An eagle on the par-5 18th to secure the 54-hole lead
- A clutch 15-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff against Rocco Mediate, followed by his iconic fist-pump celebration