Tiger Woods live stream 2018: How to watch him play at Genesis Open Round 1

Los Angeles is the center of the sports world this weekend. It’s natural to assume that is because of the NBA All Star Game. But it’s also because of a dang golf tournament. Golf may not be top of mind for you, casual sports fan, but this week, it should be. This week, it’s as good as the PGA Tour gets.

The annual stop at Riviera is always one of the best of the year. In 2018, however, we have a perfect confluence of Riviera, the most baller-ass course on the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods making the second start of his return, and arguably the best field in years on tour. We just don’t get this kind of loaded group for a non-WGC or non-major championship.

The headliner from that loaded field is, of course, the big cat. Even though Riv is maybe the best course on the PGA Tour, Tiger has not come here in a decade. It’s an unfortunate drought given this is his hometown tournament. But Tiger has just never done well here, for whatever reason. He can’t explain it well either, reiterating this week he thinks the course fits his eye and he approves of the classic design. Now with his TGR foundation in charge of the event, he’s got to be here and it has taken one of the best stops on Tour to an entirely new level.

This is a show worthy of LA. It’s worthy of being your lead into the NBA All-Star Game show. It begins bright and early on Thursday morning, with Tiger Woods teeing off before 7:30 a.m. local time in Los Angeles. Woods is a huge draw on his own, but the guys he’s paired with for the first 36 holes makes it truly an embarrassment of riches. Tiger will be out with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas on Thursday morning. Rory may be the most exciting non-Tiger player in the game. When he’s going, there’s nothing as exciting. And JT is the reigning player of the year.

It’s an outrageous trio and they will all be together first thing Thursday on PGA Tour Live. The Tour’s over-the-top streaming service has been around a few years now, but I’m not sure they have ever had this kind of opportunity. There have been some powerhouse tee times on their featured groups streams. This is the best of all and if you’re not a subscriber, it miiiiight be worth it just throwing down for one month for this week alone. The Tiger-Rory-JT group will have their full round shown on Thursday.

PGA Tour used to have free streams up for different featured groups. But that was a few years ago now. The quality was iffy and they didn’t have it at every tournament. PGA Tour Live requires a paid sub, but the quality is as good as it gets, using MLBAM, and it’s out there just about every week on Tour. I’ve never been completely down with the move to a paid subscription service, but I can absolutely vouch for the quality.

PGA Tour Live will really be your only option for watching Tiger on Thursday. Golf Channel will be on the air at 2 p.m. ET, but Tiger will have only a few holes left at that point. So ignore your work and lock into that stream for the day. Here’s your full media schedule for the opening round of the Genesis Open:

2 to 6 p.m. ET — Golf Channel

9:30 a.m. ET -- PGA Tour Live starts with coverage from range and opening holes

Featured Groups (PGA Tour Live subscription required)

3 to 6 p.m. ET -- PGA Tour Live featured holes coverage (No subscription required)

2 to 6 p.m. ET — Golf Channel simulcast stream

Noon to 6 p.m. ET — PGA Tour Radio on Sirius-XM (Ch. 92/208 and streamed here)