Photos by Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
The 2023 Genesis Invitational tees off three weeks from today and Marcus Byrd is thrilled to be in the field for this year’s PGA TOUR stop at Riviera Country Club.
Tournament host Tiger Woods announced Byrd as recipient of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into the Feb. 16-19 event. Awarded annually since 2009, the Sifford exemption represents the advancement of diversity in the sport.
“Marcus has shown resiliency and perseverance in pursuit of a professional playing career,” Woods said. “These are qualities that remind me of Charlie and his journey. I look forward to watching Marcus compete at Riviera.”
Byrd plays on the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour, where in November he finished atop the standings for the Farmers Insurance Fall Series. In September, he won the APGA Valley Forge Championship and in June 2021 he earned his first APGA Tour victory in Louisiana. The start at Riviera will be Byrd’s second career appearance in a PGA TOUR event. He made his TOUR debut at the 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship.
“It’s a true honor to receive the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption into the 2023 Genesis Invitational,” said Byrd, who addressed the media in the clubhouse along with three-time PGA TOUR winner
Cameron Champ and tournament director Mike Antolini before heading out to the historic course for a round alongside actor Don Cheadle.
A Washington D.C. native, Byrd led Middle Tennessee State to back-to-back conference championships in 2018 and 2019. Tickets to this year’s tournament are on sale now at GenesisInvitational.com.
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