Tiger Woods committed Friday to playing the Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, returning to one of his favorite venues for his first PGA Tour start since the British Open last July.Woods will be playing — and walking — 18 holes in competition for the first time since he had a microdiscectomy in September to alleviate pain down his legs,

Tournament host Tiger Woods has committed to playing in next week's Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines, which will mark the 15-times major champion's first official PGA Tour event since last July's British Open.

The golf legend, who annually hosts the tournament at Riviera Country Club, has recorded eight of his 82 PGA Tour wins at Torrey Pines, including the 2008 U.S. Open.