Tiger Woods, who has won what is now the Farmers Insurance Open a record seven times, on Wednesday committed to play in the tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Club in La Jolla, Calif.
Woods will make his first appearance of 2017 in the tournament on Jan. 26-29 at Torrey Pines, where he also won the 2008 U.S. Open on the famed South Course in an epic 19-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate.
“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,” said Peter Ripa, chief executive officer of the Century Club, which manages 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 as well as some exciting up-and-coming players.”
Woods, who returned from a 14-month layoff after two back surgeries to play last month in the Hero World Challenge, won the San Diego-area PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2013.
The 41-year-old Woods, who has 79 PGA Tour victories including 14 major titles in his career, will be making his first start in a PGA Tour full-field event since he tied for 10th in the Wyndham Championship in August 2015.
Woods also has committed to play in the Genesis Open on Feb. 16-19 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and the Honda Classic on Feb. 23-26 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Other early commitments for the Farmers include top-ranked Jason Day of Australia, defending champion Brandt Snedeker, reigning U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, reigning PGA champion Jimmy Walker, Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose of England, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, Rickie Fowler and three-time champion Phil Mickelson, a San Diego native.
–Story courtesy of The Sports Xchange, TSX Golf Editor Tom LaMarre
