This Week In Golf: Dec 12 - 18 2016

Catch up with all the latest news from the world of golf

This Week In Golf: Dec 12 - 18 2016

Tiger Woods Commits to Genesis Open at Riviera in February

Tiger Woods has announced that he will play the Genesis Open at Riviera from Feb 16 - 19, formerly the Northern Trust Open, the site of his first ever PGA Tour event in 1992 at the age of 16.

Tiger Woods: What's in the Bag?

The 14-time major winner may also opt to play the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines at the end of January, a course he's won on eight times, as well as the Dubai Desert Classic, Waste Management Phoenix Open and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He last played earlier this month at the Hero World Challenge.

Mickelson Has Second Hernia Surgery In As Many Months

Phil Mickelson has had a follow up surgery on a sports hernia which was treated after the Safeway Open in October. He is expected to make a full recovery but his return at the CareerBuilder Challenge in Palm Springs, California, where he is serving as tournament ambassador, may be in doubt.

Mickelson usually begins his calendar year with that tournament as well as the Farmers Insurance Open in his home town of San Diego at Torrey Pines before the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

John K Solheim New PING President

Read our interview with both John K and John A - PING: Keeping it in the family

Scott Hend Wins Asian Tour Order of Merit

Scott Hend has become the first Australian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Hend, who represented Australia in the Olympics, has had the season of his life, winning twice on the Asian Tour to amass $1,004,792 for the season. He also had his best season in Europe where he finished 27th on the Race to Dubai and reached a career-high 59th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Related: Scott Hend wins True Thailand Classic

The 43-year-old said: “It’s quite special. Obviously winning any Order of Merit anywhere is very special, and this will stay with me forever.”

Padraig Harrington signs new deal with Wilson Golf

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has signed a new multi-year deal with Wilson Golf that will see him reach a milestone of 20 consecutive seasons playing Wilson Staff clubs on Tours around the world.

The Irishman won his first European Tour title in eight years at the recent Portugal Masters, where he used the new FG Tour V6 irons that he put into his bag for the first time that week. “My association with Wilson Golf is currently one of the longest in the sport and I’m proud to be renewing our agreement for more years to come, the new V6 irons are exceptional."