Woods was set to make his return to professional golf after a seven-month break at this US PGA Tour event that he hosts.
His decision came shortly after he revealed that his mother, Kultida, had passed away last week.
“I planned to tee it up this week, but I’m just not ready,” the American said in a statement posted to his social media. “I did my best to prepare, knowing it’s what my Mom would have wanted, but I’m still processing her loss.
“Thanks to everyone who has reached out. I hope to be at Torrey later in the week and appreciate the continued kindness since my Mom’s passing.”
The 15-time major champion was eager to make his first non-major appearance on the US tour since last February, when he withdrew from the Genesis after just one round due to illness.
Woods finished 60th at the Masters and missed the cut in the other three majors this year, struggling to recover between rounds due to ongoing back issues and leg injuries from a car accident in 2021.
His last tournament was the Open Championship in July.
After undergoing another back surgery in September, he played alongside his 15-year-old son Charlie at the PNC Championship family event in Florida in December.
He’s also been involved in the TGL indoor simulator league that he co-founded with Rory McIlroy this year.
At 49, Woods has a remarkable history at Torrey Pines’ South Course, where he has won eight times, including his memorable 2008 US Open victory in an 18-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate. Just two days after that win, he announced he would be having knee surgery, revealing he had played with a broken leg.
The Riviera Country Club, located in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, typically hosts the Genesis. While the historic club itself wasn’t harmed by the fires, it was in the mandatory evacuation zone that required residents to evacuate during the Palisades fire last month. Because of the fires' effects on the local community, organizers and the tour decided to relocate the event.