It was a disheartening start to Tiger Woods‘s 2024 season! The 48-year-old was preparing to play the second round for his official start at the Genesis Invitational when an unwanted enemy stopped him in his tracks and he traveled out of the Riviera Country Club on a golf cart—one thing Woods guaranteed he would never do! As he took back his words about using a cart, will he have to take his words back about competing in one tournament every month too? Well, that would depend on his recovery from influenza.
It has now been three days since Woods went back to his abode. For the last 72 hours, it has remained a mystery as to when Woods will be healthy again and when he will compete in his second event of the season, until now!
When may Tiger Woods be healthy again?
After playing the opening round and getting back to his room, Tiger Woods showed some flu-like symptoms. His long-time friend and TGR manager, Rob McNamara, had told the press that the symptoms started on the night of the Thursday round, and on the next day, they were “worse than the night before.”
He had a fever and, during the warm-up, started feeling dizzy. This could be assumed to be day one of influenza, where the body tries to fend off the virus. The next day, Woods would have been kept hydrated via IV, which is needed during the flu recovery. Day three could turn out to be worse than before, according to GoodRx Health.
Tiger Woods is probably on the way to recovery, as by the end of day four, the influenza symptoms usually start going away. By days five and six, people can usually resume their normal lifestyle and go back to work. However, for someone like Woods, who has undergone many injuries and is over 45 years old, the virus might stay for another week until he has completely recovered and can play golf again.
The latency of Woods’s recovery can affect his further plans for the 2024 season. If it does take the 15-time major winner 2 weeks to recuperate from the flu, then Woods might miss the next significantly massive event scheduled in March.
Can Tiger Woods play in the Players Championship?
The Hero World Challenge was where the 82-time PGA Tour winner returned after his hiatus. But before teeing it up at Albany GC, Woods had given a slight hint about his 2024 schedule. At the Hero World Challenge presser, the host of the event said, “I think the best scenario would be maybe a tournament a month.”
Woods then explained that, per the schedule, he would probably “start with maybe at Genesis [Invitational]” in February. Then “something in March near The Players.” He fulfilled his promise of playing at Riviera CC, although he could not play the 72 holes. And moving forward, he would have wanted to play at The Players. Woods is qualified to play at the Players because of his 2019 Masters victory.
The PLAYERS will start on March 14, and by that period, Woods may have fully recovered from influenza. It means that his health would not be between him and the PLAYERS Championship. However, last year, the former world no. 1 didn’t opt to play at the event. He was qualified then too, and was comparably healthy. The chances are 50/50; only time will tell what will be his next golf outing!
