'I play to win': Tiger Woods bullish ahead of PGA return

Tiger Woods was in typically bullish mood ahead of his return to competition as he targets a record 83rd PGA Tour title in the Genesis Invitational.

Woods has not played an event without the use of a cart since last summer's Open Championship, when he missed the cut at St Andrews.

The 15-time major winner had intended to play the Hero World Challenge in the first week in December but withdrew after developing plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Later that month he did play a made-for-TV exhibition over 12 holes and the PNC Championship with his son Charlie, although in both events he was allowed to ride in a cart.

Carts are not allowed on the PGA Tour, where Woods shares the record for most wins, 82, with Sam Snead.

"I'm excited to be able to compete and to play here at Riviera, where basically it all started," Woods, who made his PGA Tour debut as a 16-year-old amateur at Riviera, told a pre-tournament press conference.

"I would not have put myself out here if I didn't think I could beat these guys and win the event. That's my mentality and even though I'm very rusty, I've come off rusty situations before and done well.

"If I'm playing, I play to win. I know that players have played and they are ambassadors of the game and try to grow the game. I can't wrap my mind around that as a competitor. If I'm playing in the event I'm going to try and beat you. I'm there to get a W (win)."

Woods was recovering from a fifth back surgery when he crashed his car in Los Angeles two days after the Genesis Invitational in February 2021, suffering multiple fractures of his right leg and ankle.

After being sidelined for 14 months, Woods returned to action in the 2022 Masters and made the cut at Augusta National and in the following month's US