Tiger Woods could easily be the world’s best golfer again

Tiger Woods is back in action at the newly-dubbed Genesis Invitational, where J.B. Holmes defends. Woods isn’t just the host. He’s also seeking a record-breaking 83rd victory. RELATED: Inside The Field FIELD NOTES: This is the first year that the tournament will be played as an invitational. The field is now 120 players, and the winner receives a three-year exemption, putting the Genesis on par with the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard and Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. … Rory McIlroy makes his fourth start at Riviera. He finished T4 a year ago. McIlroy, the reigning FedExCup champion, is expected to regain the top spot in the world ranking Monday. It will be the first time since 2015 that he has held that position. … All of the top five players in the world (as of Feb. 7) will be in the field including McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, and Dustin Johnson… Thomas had the 54-hole lead a year ago before shooting a 4-over 75 in the final round to finish runner-up. Thomas is currently the FedExCup leader as he seeks to join Woods and McIlroy as the only two-time FedExCup champs. … Joseph Bramlett received the 2020 Charlie Sifford Memorial exemption and will be in the field. Bramlett, who received the same honor in 2011, is the first two-time recipient. He shot 75-74 in 2011 to miss the cut. Since then, Bramlett completely re-built his swing after suffering an annular tear to his L4 and L5 discs. FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 FedExCup points COURSE: Riviera Country Club, 7,322 yards, par 71. A long-time PGA TOUR host club, Riviera will be the site of the 2028 Olympic events. STORYLINES: This will be Woods’ third start of the season. He won THE ZOZO Championship to tie Sam Snead’s PGA TOUR wins record of 82, then finished T9 at the Farmers Insurance Open. Woods finished T15 here a year ago. This year will mark the 11th time that he tees it up at the venerable Riviera, a course that’s had his number throughout his career. It’s the only course Woods has played more than four times in his career where he hasn’t won. … Bubba Watson, who has two-straight top-10’s to begin 2020, returns to Riviera where he’s a three-time winner. Watson won in 2014, 2016, and 2018 and if history is any indication, these ‘even’ years have treated him well. … Stay tuned for the results of the Collegiate Showcase on Monday. The low collegiate golfer after the 18-hole earns a spot in the tournament. Past winners include 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year Scottie Scheffler. … A great finish that catapults a golfer into the top-10 of the FedExCup standings will mean earning a late spot into the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship.   72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Lanny Wadkins (1985). 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, George Archer (3rd round, 1983 at Rancho Park GC), Ted Tryba (3rd round, 1999 at Riviera CC). LAST TIME: It was a brutal Sunday a year ago at Riviera as cold temperatures and gusty winds impacted the scoring. While Thomas fell down the leaderboard after a 4-over 75, it was Holmes – who played 33 holes on the final day – who came out on top. Thomas made three bogeys in his first five holes in the final round while Holmes was 2 under through that same stretch. That was ultimately the turning point as Holmes ended at 1 under for the day and won – for the fifth time on TOUR – by a shot. He was able to hold off a hard-charging Si Woo Kim, whose 5-under 66 was the round of the day. Kim finished third while Marc Leishman and McIlroy finished T4. HOW TO FOLLOW Television: Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-2:45 p.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (CBS). Sunday, 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (CBS).   PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 9:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 11:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (Featured Groups and Featured Holes) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio).

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Normally, Tiger plays an event two or so weeks before a major. He isn’t this time. That doesn’t mean he’s hurt, it just means he is focused on the majors over all else.

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MONTEREY, Calif. – In 2022, Monterey Peninsula Foundation will be first to reach a charitable giving milestone among PGA TOUR Tournaments – surpassing $200 million in total donations. Perennially ranked among the PGA TOUR’s top charitable contributors, the Foundation is thrilled to reach this threshold and carry on the traditions of golf and giving established by Bing Crosby and friends. Since 1947 the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has set the benchmark for generating millions of dollars, which are donated annually to nonprofit organizations throughout Monterey and the surrounding communities. RELATED: First Tee-Monterey County members discuss positive impacts “AT&T is incredibly proud of the great work that the Monterey Peninsula Foundation is doing to support and empower our communities,” said Lori Lee, CEO of AT&T Latin America and Global Marketing Officer for AT&T. “From the beginning, they’ve been a great partner, because they embody what the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is all about – bringing people together to make a difference.” Monterey Peninsula Foundation strives to serve the diverse needs of the greater Monterey Bay area and to address the inequities within the region. Despite many challenges caused by the pandemic, the Foundation has provided support for urgent needs related to health and human services, food security, and educational equity. Long-term grant recipients include California State Monterey Bay, Montage Health, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, and First Tee – Monterey County. The Foundation is also proud to support the neighborhoods of East Salinas with funding to establish an early childhood learning center, soccer complex, community gathering space, and park with safe public access. “To reach this significant milestone speaks to the support of our title sponsor, partners, fans, and volunteers,” said Clint Eastwood, Chairman of the Board, Monterey Peninsula Foundation. “The tournament has had a lasting and incredibly positive impact on our local communities.” “On behalf of the PGA TOUR, my congratulations to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, AT&T and the thousands of PGA TOUR members who have supported this event over the years,” added PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has for decades combined the best in sports and entertainment for our fans along with a charitable impact that positively affects thousands of lives in Monterey and the surrounding communities. “And with this milestone as a backdrop, we are excited to announce the PGA TOUR’s charitable total of more than $173 million for 2021, bringing the TOUR’s all-time total to $3.37 billion. This continued impact is ingrained in the PGA TOUR’s DNA and would not be possible without the long-standing commitment of our players, tournaments and partners.” Throughout this year’s tournament, title sponsor AT&T will feature “AT&T Birdies for Students” a friendly competition where for every birdie or better on the 17th hole, AT&T will pledge $2,500 to help bridge the digital divide so more students and others who need it can have access to the internet. As leaders from the world of business, sports, and entertainment are drawn to the iconic Pebble Beach golf courses to play with PGA TOUR professional partners, the legacy of golf and giving will continue. For more information about the tournament, visit www.attpbgolf.com. For more about the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and opportunities to give, visit www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org.

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