Rob McNamara provides clarity on Tiger Woods ‘illness’ leading to withdrawal, paramedic presence

Rob McNamara, Tiger Woods’ longtime business partner who filled in as his caddie at this week’s Genesis Invitational, provided an update after his withdrawal on Friday. Woods pulled out of the tournament due to an “illness,” and paramedics arrived at Riviera Country Club afterward.

McNamara said Woods didn’t feel well Thursday night and started to feeling dizziness while out on the course Friday afternoon. Doctors said he was dehydrated, and while they administered an IV, he didn’t end up needing to leave via an ambulance.

“He started feeling some flu-like symptoms last night,” McNamara said, via Barstool’s Daniel Rapaport. “Woke up this morning, they were worse than the night previous. He had a little bit of a fever and that, and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy. Ultimately the doctors are saying he’s got some – potentially some type of flu and that he was dehydrated. He’s been treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much, much better and he’ll be released on his own here soon.”

Woods withdrew after just six holes on Friday and was 2-over par on the weekend. He previously cited back spasms for some late-round issues on Thursday, including an iron shot that went into the trees.

McNamara confirmed Friday’s issues weren’t related to his back or ankle, and were strictly about his dehydration.

“Not physical at all, his back’s fine,” McNamara said. “It was all medical illness, dehydration, which is now the symptoms are reversing themselves now that he’s had an IV.”

The Genesis Invitational marked Woods’ first PGA Tour event since last year’s Masters after he underwent ankle surgery. It also marked the debut of his new clothing line with TaylorMade after his agreement with Nike expired last month.

Tiger Woods announced his Sun Day Red line ahead of the Genesis Invitational and wore it during the tournament. The full line drops May 1 after a long and historic agreement with Nike.

“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods said in a statement. “The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever. Phil Knight’s passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I want to personally thank him, along with the Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way.”