LOS ANGELES • Tiger Woods finds a lot of things to love about Riviera Country Club, but his record here is not one of them.

"I love the golf course, I love the layout, it fits my eye - and I play awful," he said ahead of the first round of the Genesis Open today on the classic course nestled in the hills of Pacific Palisades, west of downtown Los Angeles.

He made his first PGA Tour start as a 16-year-old at Riviera in 1992, missing the cut. He went on to pile up 79 US Tour titles and 14 Major championships but, in 10 appearances at Riviera, his best finish was second place in 1998, which he followed with a tie for second in 1999.

It is the only tournament he has played so often and never won. But he says that in addition to trying to solve Riviera, he also has a lot to learn about body and his game following surgery.

"I'd eventually like to win tournaments," the 42-year-old said.

A tie for 23rd at the Farmers Insurance Open three weeks ago was a promising start, despite his struggles off the tee at Torrey Pines.

As at Torrey, he is the star attraction this week in a field that features world No. 1 and defending champion Dustin Johnson, four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, PGA Tour Player of the Year Justin Thomas and reigning British Open champion Jordan Spieth.

Bill Haas yesterday pulled out of the tournament after escaping serious injury when he was involved in a fatal three-car collision late on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The 2011 FedExCup winner and six-time PGA Tour winner will return to his home in Greenville, South Carolina, to recover, his manager said. The Los Angeles fire department said at least one person died in the crash.

"While Bill escaped serious injuries and has been released from the hospital, he is understandably shaken up and - more importantly - his deepest condolences go out to the host family during this tragic and difficult time," manager Allen Hobbs, of Players Group Management, said in a statement.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

GENESIS OPEN

Day 1: StarHub Ch204, tomorrow, 3am