
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
For only the third time since since 1973, Riviera Country Club will not host the PGA TOUR’s Los Angeles-based event due to the wildfires in the Palisades and other Southland communities.
The Tour issued the following statement on January16:
The PGA TOUR’s focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles. We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.
In collaboration with Genesis, The Riviera Country Club and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that The Genesis Invitational 2025 will be played at an alternate location the week of February 10-16. A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.
The PGA TOUR is identifying the most impactful ways the tournament can support the Los Angeles community and the ongoing relief efforts. We encourage fans to join the support at PGATOUR.com/SupportLA.
When the Palisadian-Post went to press Tuesday the PGA TOURwas considering moving the tournament to Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, though the deal had not yuet been finalized.
The tournament used to be called the LA Open and has had numerous corporate names over the years. Riviera has hosted the event a total of 60 times, the first back in 1929. Prior to this year, the only times sicne 1973 that the event was not played at Rivera were 1983 (when it was moved to Rancho Park while Riviera was being groomed for the PGA Championship) and 1998 when it was played at Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita while Riviera was being prepped for the U.S. Senior Open.
Tiger Woods, the 15-time major champion, now hosts the L.A. event and is winless in his career at Riviera. The Soutthern California native who started his pro career at Riviera and now lives in Florida, said right now “there are so many other things that are bigger than that.”
It’s just sad,” Woods added. “Max [Homa] and I have grown up there. We’re SoCal kids. To see what’s happened, I’ve known a couple of people who lost everything, so it’s just hard.”
Woods withdrew during the second round of last year’s Genesis at Riviera after suffering flu-like symptoms and getting treated with an IV bag. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama rallied from a six-stroke deficit o win.
“As far as the Genesis we’re just trying to figure everything out and make sure everyone’s safe and we have meetings scheduled going forward,” Woods added. “As of right now, we’re not really focused on the event. It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who’s struggling, who’s lost homes and had their lives changed.”
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