Golf

Tiger Woods to make seasonal bow at Phoenix Open

Former world number one hasn’t played the event in over a decade

Tiger Woods will be back in action at the Phoenix Open at the end of this month. Photograph: Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Tiger Woods will be back in action at the Phoenix Open at the end of this month. Photograph: Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Fri Jan 09 2015 - 16:59

Tiger Woods has confirmed he will make his seasonal return in the Waste Management Phoenix Open at the end of January.

Woods hasn't played the event in over a decade but will return to TPC Scottsdale on January 29th in an impressive field which will also include former champion Phil Mickelson and young star Jordan Spieth.

The event has become famous in recent years for its par-three 16th hole, which is surrounded by stands packed with thousands of spectators who help create a unique atmosphere on what’s traditionally Super Bowl weekend.

Woods himself has fond memories of it, having made a hole in one back in 1997 on what was his tournament debut. He returned twice afterwards, finishing third in 1999 and fifth in 2001, and will be eager to get back to winning ways following a frustrating 2014 campaign.

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“It will be great to return to Phoenix,” said Woods via his website. “The crowds are amazing and always enthusiastic, and the 16th hole is pretty unique in golf.”

The former world number one has confirmed that he will also tee it up in the Farmers Insurance Open the following week, which is played at one of his favourite courses in Torrey Pines.

“Torrey is a very important place to me. My pop took me there when I was younger, and I have a lot of special memories of watching the TOUR play there when I was growing up,” he added.