Tiger Woods commits to play in 2018 Honda Classic

After being tentative about playing back-to-back weeks, Tiger Woods has committed to playing in next week’s Honda Classic.

At his peak, with a nod to Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods built his yearly tournament schedule around the majors. But health issues that have derailed his career means simply playing some competitive golf to round back into form can be a good thing. On Friday, news surfaced that Woods has committed to playing in next week’s Honda Classic.

In the first round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on Thursday, Woods battled a constantly wayward driver to card a 72 (+1). On Friday, things really went off the rails, with a 5-over 76 leaving him at +6 for the tournament and well off the cut line of +2.

Woods was unwilling to commit to playing back-to-weeks just a couple days ago, giving a pretty odd answer when asked about it.

“I think it would be a great sign if I do play (back to back),” Woods said Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Bob Harig. “I think it would be a smart sign if I didn’t play. How about that?”

But the Honda Classic is at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, which makes it a relative home game for him on an easier golf course. Woods has played in the event four times, with a withdrawal after three rounds the last time in 2014 and a final-round 62 in 2012 to push himself to a runner-up finish behind Rory McIlroy.

It’s worth noting the news of Woods’ commitment to play next week at the Honda Classic came out before he finished his second round and missed the cut at the Genesis Open. Backing out of that commitment now would be incredibly bad form, but the fallback excuse could be concerns over his back as he continues to get back to full strength.

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Woods has made no further tournament commitments beyond next week. But between the Honda Classic and The Masters (April 5-8), the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in mid-March stands out as the only tournament he’s likely to play.