Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational is moving to Torrey Pines after wildfires made Riviera Country Club unsuitable for the signature event.
The decision comes after fires burned more than 23,000 acres near Pacific Palisades, California, forcing tournament organizers to find a new venue. Woods, speaking after his TGL win over Rory McIlroy’s team, shared the challenging process of selecting a new location.
“The meeting we had was very difficult with the Watanabes,” Woods said, referring to Riviera’s owners. “Riv is just not ready.”
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Tiger Woods
378
199
$120,999,166
The search focused on keeping the tournament on the West Coast, with options including Pebble Beach, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Palm Springs. Torrey Pines emerged as the ideal choice, even though it just wrapped up hosting the Farmers Insurance Open.
“It’s important that we were able to stay in Southern California because everyone who was born and raised out in Southern Cal can all relate to the fires. It’s a difficult situation, and we want to be very sensitive to that.”
The tournament, scheduled for February 13-16, will include several Los Angeles-related relief initiatives that the Tour will announce soon. Woods believes the Southern California location will help maximize fundraising efforts for those affected by the fires.
“I think because we’re in Southern California,” Woods said, “we’re going to be able to raise more money for all the losses that have incured.”
