TIGER WOODS wants to retire from golf but he must continue to support his new brand “Sun Day Red” clothing.

Woods returned to the PGA Tour this week but only lasted 24 holes before withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational on Friday due to illness.

The 15-time major champion hit his tee shot on the seventh hole at Riviera before suffering from flu-like symptoms and dehydration.

Woods had not played an official event since the Masters last April, pulling out in the middle of the rain-delayed third round.

And a source has told Daily Mail that Woods wants to walk away from golf but continues to play and make appearances to support his brand.

They said: “If Tiger could retire, he would. 

“His body is beat up but, for his brand, he still has to make and keep appearances and make a go at it. 

“After his car accident, he thought that was it. There was almost an amputation in play, so to be back even at all is sort of a miracle.

“Now with this recent illness that had him bow out of the latest tournament, that is unfortunate.

“But he will be back because he has to support his new brand Sun Day Red, and everything else in his world. 

“He’ll be back even though he would love nothing more than to retire.”

Woods is the tournament host of the Genesis Invitational which is run by his TGR foundation.

His week in Los Angeles also began with the launch of his new clothing line with TaylorMade Golf.

Woods’ car crash in February 2021 shattered bones in his right leg as he tried to find his old form again.

He has played in six official tournaments since returning from the injury but has pulled out of three of them – the 2022 PGA Championship, the 2023 Master and now the Genesis Invitational.

The 48-year-old hoped to play one tournament a month through the major season.

But on Thursday he was suffering from a back spasm which led to his shank in the final hole, dropping his club shortly after making contact.