A handful of the nation’s finest golfers had gathered practically 3,000 miles from their hometown of Los Angeles for a wierd indoor competitors the place they struck balls into an infinite display, however their heads and hearts had been with these affected by the damaging wildfires raging by way of Southern California.
And though they didn’t know a lot about plans for the Genesis Invitational, a signature PGA Tour occasion with a $20-million purse scheduled to happen Feb. 13-16 at Riviera Nation Membership in Pacific Palisades, they’d a lot to say concerning the fireplace victims and methods they could help.
“We’re trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe and we have meetings scheduled going forward,” stated Tiger Woods, who talked about that he is aware of “a couple people that have lost everything” within the Palisades fireplace.
“But as of right now, we’re not really focused on the tournament,” Woods added. “It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who’s struggling, who’s lost homes and had their lives changed.”
Woods and others instructed the most effective resolution is likely to be to carry the Genesis Invitational at a unique location somewhat than cancel or postpone it. However they made it clear no determination has been made. Riviera was spared harm however is smack in the midst of a burned-out Pacific Palisades neighborhood that’s presently inaccessible and underneath evacuation orders.
Woods sponsors the Genesis Invitational, and the legendary golfer who grew up in Orange County is also a founding father of the TGL, quick for the TMRW Golf League, a simulator expertise that staged its second match this week on the SoFi Heart — to not be confused with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. This venue is on the campus of Palm Seaside State Faculty in Palm Seaside Gardens, Fla.
Max Homa, left, and Tiger Woods of the Jupiter Hyperlinks Golf Membership react Tuesday as they fall behind the Los Angeles Golf Membership. The 2 golfers say they’ve been following the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
(Marta Lavandier / Related Press)
So it was from this perch whereas taking part in not precisely golf that Woods and fellow PGA Tour veterans with SoCal roots — Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala — talked concerning the ongoing devastation from fires and the way forward for Riviera.
Theegala was raised in Chino Hills and attended Pepperdine, driving each day down the Pacific Coast Freeway to the Malibu campus. The house of the sister of his caddie, Carl Smith, was destroyed by fireplace.
“When you see it right in front of your eyes, it’s as real as it gets and it’s scarier than any media portrayals, scarier than anything that’s being described,” Theegala stated.
The relentless blazes have been on Morikawa’s thoughts for days.
“I get to that point sometimes when you think it’s over but it’s not,” stated Morikawa, who grew up in La Cañada Flintridge. “Winds are picking up, fires are still going, people are still out there fighting fires, protecting their houses, helping their neighbors, helping communities.”
Not many insiders are even speculating about what the PGA Tour will do with the Genesis Invitational, though host Rex Hoggard of the Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio’s “Golf Channel podcast with Rex and Lav” did say he spoke to a Riviera member and got here away with this impression:
“I spoke with a member today at Riviera and he said the club is fine. The golf course didn’t receive any damage. The clubhouse hasn’t received any damage. But everything around it is devastated. … This member told me they’re still in evacuation mode. People can’t really get anywhere near the golf course. You can’t get into the community, even if the golf course is fine.”
Co-host Ryan Lavner added, “I think it would be such a drain on the resources of that community. I don’t know how you have it there, what is it three weeks away now? I just don’t see it happening.”
The podcast talked about that the Genesis Invitational may presumably transfer to Sherwood Nation Membership in Thousand Oaks, the La Quinta Nation Membership that’s presently internet hosting the American Specific match, or the Torrey Pines Golf Course, the place the Farmers Open will happen Jan. 22-25. The TPC Scottsdale, Ariz., course that may host the Waste Administration Open Feb. 6-9 is another choice.
Waiting for the in depth and staggeringly costly restoration from the fires has raised issues about L.A. internet hosting three main sporting occasions over the following three years. World Cup matches are scheduled for SoFi Stadium in the summertime of 2026. Then comes the 2027 Tremendous Bowl, adopted by the 2028 Summer season Olympics.
Not one of the area’s stadiums or arenas are broken thus far, giving occasion organizers and authorities leaders confidence that plans won’t want to alter.
“Los Angeles is defined by its resilience and determination,” Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 organizing committee, stated in an announcement. “The strength of our communities and our unity in tough times make this city extraordinary, and when Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028, our spirit will shine brighter than ever before.”
