Woods "Mexico is so-so~"..."Next tournament?"

WGC 2nd Round Mexico Championship Absence, Expected to Compete at Arnold Palmer Invitational on March 5

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "I need a break."

The "resurrected golf emperor" Tiger Woods (USA, photo) will skip the Mexico Championship (total prize money $10.5 million) held on the night of the 20th (Korean time) at Chapultepec Golf Club in Mexico (par 71, 7,345 yards). This tournament is part of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, which boasts a special status as it is included simultaneously in the prize money rankings of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour along with the majors. Players must be ranked at least in the world’s top 50 to participate.

The starting point is that he ruined the Genesis Invitational, which ended on the 17th. Woods finished 68th. This is only the second time he has made the cut but finished last, the first being the 2015 Memorial Tournament. In the third round, he particularly collapsed with a 5-over-par, including a "4-putt" on the 13th hole (par 4), and lost another 6 strokes on the final day, failing to escape a total crisis. He bowed his head, saying, "I had no time to practice because I was fulfilling the host role."

In fact, his body weight has dropped significantly. Woods immediately started exercise and dietary therapy to gain weight right after the Genesis Invitational. He explained, "I am increasing my protein-based meals and managing muscle mass through weight training." It is interesting that Woods has won the Mexico Championship seven times in 1999, 2002-2003, 2005-2007, and 2013. The problem is that since 2017, the course has moved from the United States to Chapultepec in Mexico, located at an altitude of 2,300 meters.

It seems he does not like the course. Last year, he finished tied for 10th (8-under-par 276), but there was a huge 13-stroke gap from Dustin Johnson’s winning score (21-under-par 263). It is important to note that Woods prefers certain golf courses. Torrey Pines, where the Farmers Open is held, is a representative example. He swept seven wins there, including four consecutive victories from 2005 to 2008, and at the US Open in June 2008, after a 91-hole battle including an 18-hole playoff and a sudden death hole, he secured his 14th major win, showing perfect compatibility.

Experts expect Woods’ next appearance to be at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which opens on March 5. Bay Hill, another tough venue, is also a "promised land" where he won eight times in total, including four consecutive wins from 2000 to 2003. The following week, he is likely to participate consecutively in The Players Championship, known as the "fifth major." The highlight will, of course, be the first major of April, the Masters. He will challenge the "three rabbits hunt" of defending his title, winning his sixth Green Jacket, and achieving his 16th major victory.