FedEx Cup leader reveals why he’s removed himself from Tiger Woods’ event
FedEx Cup leader Matthieu Pavon has decided to bypass this week’s $20m Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods because he wants to “recharge the batteries” following a successful start to his rookie PGA Tour season.
Pavon, 31, has surged to the top of the FedEx Cup standings after becoming the first Frenchman to win on the PGA Tour with victory at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines last month.
He then quickly followed up on that with a solid solo third at the weather-shortened AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Pavon earned his playing privileges on the PGA Tour for the first time this season as a result of picking up a card through the DP World Tour in 2023.
But after enjoying the most successful spell of his professional career thus far, Pavon not only decided to skip last week\’s controversial WM Phoenix Open but also this week\’s Genesis Invitational at famed Riviera.
The decision may come as a surprise to some, especially given Pavon\’s form and the fact there is a $20m prize fund at the Genesis Invitational with the winner earning $4m.
He told Golf Planete the reason is not because of injury but because he wants to spend more time with his family and work on both his game and fitness.
Pavon said last week:
\”With my team, we remodeled the calendar, so I\’m not playing the Phoenix this week. It was hard to say no because it\’s a tournament that I really wanted to play since I arrived on the PGA Tour. I had requested invitations… I dreamed of it. But you shouldn\’t rush either. Like I said, we try to structure things with my team to be fit and competitive every time I play in a tournament. There is a time for everything. My putting coach (Jon Karlsen) is coming to see me next week. This is why I also withdrew from Genesis. I want to have a full week with my family, recharge the batteries, benefit from 15 days to be able to train both physically and technically. There are so many great deadlines to come, there is no point chasing points. I think I will have enough great tournaments to play this year, and even more next year.\”
Pavon would have qualified for this week\’s third Signature Event of the PGA Tour season as a result of being ranked first in The Aon Swing 5 list.
That is how last week\’s runner-up Charley Hoffman earned an exemption into Woods\’ event.
Woods, who is acting as tournament host, is making his official PGA Tour comeback having been out of action since April 2023.
The 15-time major champion is repping his new Sun Day Red apparel and footwear.
