Torrey Pines might be pulling double duty this season, hosting both the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational. The reaction from players? They’re all for it.
“No pushback from me,” Ludvig Åberg said. “Bring it here, please.”
The PGA Tour’s looking at moving Tiger Woods’ signature event from the fire-damaged Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines’ South Course next month. It’s a natural fit – Woods has won here eight times, including his legendary 2008 U.S. Open victory.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Ludvig Åberg
35
12
$12,873,851
The Genesis needs a new home after wildfires ravaged the area around Riviera earlier this month. While the course itself wasn’t damaged, the surrounding area took a devastating hit from the 23,000-acre blaze that claimed 10 lives and destroyed nearly 6,000 structures.
San Diego native Charley Hoffman thinks Torrey’s South Course makes perfect sense. “The platform here in San Diego would be a very logical place to put it,” he said. “It’s going to play like a major championship this week if we don’t get any rain. It’s firm, it’s fast, the grass is long. You can keep that for another two weeks for sure.”
The Tour’s considering other West Coast venues like PGA West’s Stadium Course and TPC Scottsdale, but Torrey’s got some clear advantages. It’s just 123 miles down Interstate 5 from Riviera, and more importantly, it’s got the infrastructure ready to go.
This week’s Farmers field is lighter than usual on star power – only world No. 4 Hideki Matsuyama and No. 6 Åberg are here from the top 10 after Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa withdrew. Landing the $20 million Genesis would bring the big names back in February.
Two-time Farmers champ Jason Day loves the idea. “I’ve had good memories here,” he said. “Tiger’s had a huge amount of success here, it’s not that far from L.A., and the infrastructure’s already here. Having a signature event in your backyard would be nice.”
While a Tour media official noted that “an official decision hasn’t been made,” Day quickly added: “But I would like it here.”
It’s going to be a tough task and I know they’re up for it, but no matter where they go it’s going to be a tough task to get everything figured out. – Charley Hoffman
