Woods returns to Riviera to play 1st event of the year
Tiger Woods is returning to competition for the first time without the use of a cart since July, announcing Friday he will play at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
Woods was hopeful of playing next week's tournament at Riviera, where he is the host of an event that typically had the strongest field of the West Coast swing even before it became elevated with a $20 million purse.
The uncertainty came from a bout with plantar fasciitis as he was preparing to play in December. That kept him from playing in his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. He played a made-for-TV exhibition over 12 holes and the PNC Championship with his son. Both times he was allowed to ride in a cart.
Carts are not allowed on the PGA Tour — Casey Martin used one under the Americans with Disabilities Act — and Woods has said he was not interested in using one to play at the highest level.
“I'm ready to play an ACTUAL PGA Tour event next week,” Woods said on Twitter, a reference to playing only three majors last year.
MLB
SPRING TRAINING'S START BRINGS PITCH CLOCKS, SHIFT LIMITS >> Spring training opens Monday in Florida and Arizona for players reporting early ahead of the World Baseball Classic, and the rest of pitchers and catchers will start workouts two days later.
Opening day on March 30 will feature three of the biggest changes since the pitcher's mound was lowered for the 1969 season:
• Two infielders will be required on either side of second base and all infielders must be within the outer boundary of the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber.
• Base size will increase to 18-inch squares from 15 inches, causing a decreased distance of 4 1/2 inches.
• A pitch clock will be used, set at 15 seconds with no runners on base and 20 seconds with runners.
NBA
SIAKAM, EDWARDS, FOX ADDED TO NBA ALL-STAR GAME ROSTER >> Toronto forward Pascal Siakam, Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards and Sacramento guard De'Aaron Fox have been added to the player pool for the All-Star Game as injury replacements.
Commissioner Adam Silver's office announced the picks Friday, after they were first reported by ESPN.
Siakam, Edwards and Fox replace Golden State's Stephen Curry, New Orleans' Zion Williamson and Phoenix's Kevin Durant — all of whom are injured and will be unable to play in the Feb. 19 game at Salt Lake City.
It's the second All-Star selection for Siakam, and the first for Edwards and Fox.