Tiger on for Riviera
Woods to tee it up at Genesis Invite on Feb. 15
Tiger Woods confirmed Wednesday he will make his first PGA Tour start since the Masters at the Genesis Invitational next week at Riviera, a tournament he hosts.
Woods posted on social media that he was “excited to be a playing host” when the PGA Tour’s next signature event with a $20 million purse starts on Feb. 15.
Woods also teased about his announcement Monday of new apparel now that he has ended a relationship with Nike that dated to 1996, when he turned pro. “The vision remains the same,” he wrote.
Riviera is the course Woods has played the most times — 12 as a pro — without winning.
He withdrew after 36 holes at Riviera with the flu in 2006 and did not return until 2018. A year ago, he tied for 45th. He next played the Masters, making the cut and then withdrawing during a cold, rainy weekend, had ankle surgery and did not return to golf until December.
The Genesis Invitational is a limited field for top performers. Woods will be playing on a sponsor exemption.
SABAN JOINS ‘GAME DAY’
Nick Saban is joining ESPN’s “College GameDay,” the long-running Saturday pregame road show he appeared on as a guest frequently during his 17 seasons as Alabama coach.
The network announced Wednesday that Saban will be an on-set analyst for “GameDay,” joining host Rece Davis and regulars Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee.
Saban, 72, retired last month, ending a 28-year career in college coaching that included seven national championships. He won six titles with Alabama and one with LSU.
“ESPN and College GameDay have played such an important role in the growth of college football, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to join their team,” Saban said in a statement. “I’ll do my best to offer additional insights and perspectives to contribute to College GameDay, the ultimate Saturday tradition for college football fans.”
The network said Saban will also be part of ESPN’s NFL draft coverage and make appearances at SEC Media Days in July. His first assignment will be announced at a later date, according to the network.
SANTA ANITA CARD PPD
Santa Anita has postponed Friday’s nine-race card to give time for horses to return to a normal routine after training was suspended since last weekend.
Regular training will resume Friday and racing will be held Saturday. This Friday’s races will be run on Feb. 15.
“We got over 10 inches of rain since Sunday afternoon, but the forecast looking forward is very good,” said Nate Newby, the track’s general manager. “We’re confident that the main track and the turf course, especially with the improved drainage that was installed last year, will be in excellent condition ready when racing resumes on Saturday.”