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Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy are among the best and most popular golfers in the world. They've just been grouped together for the first two rounds of the Genesis Invitational.
It's hard to imagine a more talented group. McIlroy was just dethroned as the world's top-ranked golfer, but he is still number two. Woods is perhaps the greatest to ever touch a golf ball and Thomas is currently ranked seventh in the world.
These three will not be working together, though. While it is an uber talented group, it means these three have their work cut out for them. They'll be playing at the same time, which could make this an extremely pressurized event.
Woods said via ESPN that he's rusty:
"As far as the recovery, it's more my ankle, whether I can recover from day to day. The leg is better than it was last year, but it's my ankle. So being able to have it recover from day to day and meanwhile still stress it but have the recovery and also have the strength development at the same time, it's been an intricate little balance that we've had to dance."
That is probably very little solace for the golfers who will be facing off against a living legend. Tiger Woods anticipates being able to compete, though his better playing days are definitely behind him. He said:
"It's gotten so much better the last couple months. I'm excited to go out there and compete and play with these guys. And I would not have put myself out here if I didn't think I could beat these guys and win the event. That's my mentality. I am very rusty, but I've come off a rusty situation before and I've done well."
The legendary golfer likely doesn't have much left to give. He's 47 and his health hasn't been kind to him recently. The greatest golfer ever may be hanging it up fairly soon, so the Genesis Invitational may be one of his final tournaments.
Tiger Woods knows he's nearing the end
The Genesis Invitational is a big event for Tiger Woods, who said via the New York Post:
“I don’t have 300-pound guys falling on top of me. It’s just a matter of shooting the lowest score. We have the ability to pick and choose and play a little bit longer.”
Woods has been able to golf for longer than, say, Tom Brady was in the NFL. Or how long LeBron James will be in the NBA. Or any of that, as he's one of the oldest active athletes right now.
He's dealt with significant injuries and can likely feel his strength waning as he said:
“When you get a little bit older and you get a little more banged up, you’re not as invincible as you once were. And that’s just the reality of all of us just aging.”
It will be a sad day for the PGA Tour and the game of golf when time finally catches up to and overtakes Tiger Woods, who has been one of the best to ever do it and has popularized the sport like no other.
