Eyes were on Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines Golf Course as he made his regular-season return to PGA. Photo by Chris Stone
Eyes were on Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines Golf Course as he made his regular-season return to PGA. Photo by Chris Stone

Tiger Woods got a warm reception on a chilly Wednesday morning as he returned to the Farmers Insurance Open for the first time since 2015.

A winner at Torrey Pines Golf Course nine times, Woods wore Nike as usual, but was looking forward to playing with clubs by TaylorMade after announcing a jump to the Carlsbad company.

(He’ll keep using his old Scotty Cameron putter, however.)

Tiger Woods flashes trademark smile at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods flashes trademark smile at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Photo by Chris Stone

Woods took his first practice swings about 6:40 a.m. on the North Course for the pro-am portion of the tournament. The temperature was in the 40s.

The former world No. 1 golfer, now 41 and ranked 663rd, tweeted the endorsement deal: “After several months of testing and all brands to choose from, the choice is clearly @TaylorMadeGolf. Proud to join the family!”

Nike ceased making golf gear, so Woods was coveted by other brands.

TaylorMade said in its announcement: “Tiger will co-create with TaylorMade’s club engineers and have an integral role in the design and development of a new, personalized iron model that will make its debut in Tiger’s bag at a future date to be determined.”

Woods has used TaylorMade before, playing with the local brand’s metal woods in winning the 1994 and 1995 U.S. amateur championships.

“There has been speculation in the industry that Woods would seek an ownership stake in his next equipment company,” ESPN reported. “TaylorMade spokesman Jory Mendes told ESPN’s Darren Rovell that the deal with Woods does not include equity in the company. Mendez said that Adidas, TaylorMade’s parent company, has expressed interest in selling TaylorMade, but no announcements are imminent.”

Tiger Woods blows into his hand as Torrey Pines Golf Course temps hovered in the 40s. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods blows into his hand as Torrey Pines Golf Course temps hovered in the 40s. Photo by Chris Stone

Tournament director Peter Ripa said tickets sales for the PGA event jumped 20 percent in the 15 hours after Woods announced he would play, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

“Searches for tournament tickets, according to Google Trends, spiked 400 percent in the same time period,” the U-T said.

With three back surgeries behind him, Woods is playing in his first regular-season event since tying for 10th in the Wyndham Championship in August 2015.

Woods will tee off at 10:40 a.m. Thursday on the South Course for Round 1 of the tournament, playing with Dustin Johnson and Jason Day. On Friday, his tee time on the North Course is 9:30 a.m. Complete details are here.

Tiger Woods blows into his hand as Torrey Pines Golf Course temps hovered in the 40s. Photo by Chris Stone
Brandt Snedeker shot on the south course during the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Brandt Snedeker shot on the south course during the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Brandt Snedeker signs autographs during the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Brandt Snedeker shot on the south course during the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Brandt Snedeker shot on the south course during the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Phil Mickelson putts at the 18th hole in the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. (File photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)
Phil Mickelson plays the 18th hole in the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Phil Mickelson answers media questions after finishing his round in the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Phil Mickelson answers media questions after finishing his round in the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Phil Mickelson approaches the 18th hole of the north course during the Zurich Pro-Am in the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Teeing off about 6:40 a.m., Tiger Woods gets back into swing of PGA golf after back surgery. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods waits as another member of his group putts at the first hole at the Farmers Open. Photo by Chris Stone
Tiger Woods gets ready to putt at the first hole on the north course at the Farmers Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Photo by Chris Stone
Teeing off about 6:40 a.m., Tiger Woods gets back into swing of PGA golf after back surgery. Photo by Chris Stone
Teeing off about 6:40 a.m., Tiger Woods gets back into swing of PGA golf after back surgery. Photo by Chris Stone
Teeing off about 6:40 a.m., Tiger Woods gets back into swing of PGA golf after back surgery. Photo by Chris Stone
Teeing off about 6:40 a.m., Tiger Woods gets back into swing of PGA golf after back surgery. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators follow the play of Phil Michelson in the Zurch Prom-Am. Photo by Chris Stone
Hang gliders floated above the sea by the Torrey Pines Golf Course during the Zurich Pro-Am. Photo by Chris Stone
A rainbow appeared during practice at Torrey Pines on Tuesday. Photo by Chris Stone