FLORIDA — Golf superstar Tiger Woods is scheduled to return to action Tuesday in his TGL simulator league in Florida, his first competition since his mother’s death on February 4.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, recorded his worst round in almost three years, shooting a 4-over-par 76 at the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines.
The 15-time PGA major champion is set to play for his Jupiter Links Golf Club as they face New York Golf Club at SoFi Center on Tuesday night.
Woods had initially announced his intention to play in this week’s Genesis Invitational in San Diego despite his mother’s death, but bowed out on Monday, saying on X, “I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready. I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.”
Woods’ mother, Kultida, was in attendance at her son’s last TGL match, when Jupiter Links GC came up with a 4-3 overtime victory over co-owner Rory McIlroy’s Boston Commons Golf on Jan. 27. Woods gave his mom a quick message before the match.
“Hey Mom,” Woods said according to Reuters.
Woods, 49, has competed in his TGL but has not competed in an official PGA Tour event since The Open Championship in July.
He played in the exhibition PNC Championship last December with his son, Charlie.
Abraham Ancer shot a 5-under 67 in the second round to pull into a three-way tie atop LIV Golf Adelaide in Australia.
Ancer carded six birdies against one bogey at blustery The Grange Golf Club to join fellow Mexican Carlos Ortiz and England’s Sam Horsfield at 9-under 135 for the tournament.
Ortiz, who collected five birdies and a bogey, and Ancer represented Mexico in the Olympics and were Fireballs GC teammates until the former joined Torque GC prior to last season.
With a third round of 66 on Fancourt’s Montagu course, Nienaber climbed to 25 under par overall and remained in control of a tournament that he has led from day one following an incredible opening round of 60.
His nearest challenger is Jacques Blaauw on 19 under par after he signed for a 69.
Nienaber won this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned title in 2021, and a victory would see him join Nick Price, Darren Fichardt and Oliver Bekker as the only players to have won it twice in its 30-year history.
Nienaber started his third round with a bogey on the first, but it was his first bogey all week and he was able to quickly move past it as he made seven birdies thereafter, including three consecutive birdies to finish.
“I know I can make bogeys, but I also know I can make a lot of birdies. That shot on the first was average and then I got punished by being plugged in the bunker, so bogey was actually a good score there.
“At one point I did wonder if there were going to be many birdies out there today, but I just put that out of my mind and did my own thing. I’m really rolling the putter nicely,” he said.
Nienaber has done exceptionally well to keep himself in the present despite playing such dominant golf, and it’s something he hopes to continue doing.
“There are obviously a lot of thoughts going through your mind during a round and there’s a lot of time between shots. It sounds like a cliché but you really just need to focus on every single shot. If I can do that, I’ll be fine.”
“That was a long two days, but very cool,” said Nienaber. “It was a long morning in the first round (with the delays) and we only teed off after 4pm. Outeniqua is always a tricky one because you know you have to score so if you don’t get off to a good start you feel like you’re chasing, so I was very happy with that.”
Nienaber teed off his first round at the 10th and was six under par through nine holes when darkness brought an end to play. “The whole of that evening I was thinking about a 59,” he said.
“But then I hit a poor putt on the last to finish with a par,” he said.
He carried his momentum onto The Links and cemented his place at the top of the leaderboard, and in a tournament which he won in 2021.
“I really like The Links. It’s very unique and it always feels like a privilege to play it. I’m in a good position for the round and I won’t change a thing.”
