Tiger Woods withdrew due to illness during the second round during his return to the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational.
Woods, 48, who is hosting the tournament at Riviera Country Club, was driven off the course on a cart shortly after teeing off on the seventh hole.
The 15-time major champion had not appeared on the PGA Tour since having to withdraw from the Masters last April due to an injury in the third round.
Woods was above par this week in California before withdrawing.
The American, who remains golf’s biggest draw, made five birdies and six bogeys during an eventful one-over-par 72 in Thursday’s opening round.
However, after starting Friday with a birdie at the par-five first hole, he dropped shots at the fourth and fifth and likely would have struggled to qualify had he been able to continue.
Woods, who feared he would have to have his leg amputated due to serious injuries he suffered in a car crash in Los Angeles in February 2021, is still adjusting to ankle fusion surgery.
He underwent this treatment in April of last year after withdrawing at Augusta National.
And he told reporters Thursday that he suffered back spasms as well as pain in his surgically repaired leg after making an unusual approach on the 18th.
Speaking on Golf Channel, rules official Mark Dusbabek said Woods’ withdrawal was not related to these long-standing issues.
Woods has only played in nine official events over the past four seasons. He missed the cut twice and withdrew three times.