The PGA Tour will move the Genesis Invitational from Riviera next month. Deadly wildfires destroyed parts of Los Angelesincluding the Pacific Palisades area where the Riviera is located.
It has not yet been determined where the $20 million signature event, with Tiger Woods as tournament host, will relocate from February 13 to 16.
One option is another golf course away from Los Angeles that is already part of the West Coast Swing. This will limit the cost and time required to build a tournament venue with everything from grandstands to corporate hospitality and television facilities.
The Riviera, located just south of Sunset Boulevard and about six miles from the Pacific Ocean, was unharmed by the fire that killed at least 25 people and destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
The tour has resisted any decision until steps are taken to bring the fire under control. The relocation decision was made in cooperation with title sponsor Genesis, Riviera Country Club, and event organizer TGR Live.
An announcement of the new venue is expected in the coming days.
“The PGA Tour is identifying the most effective ways the tournament can support the Los Angeles community and ongoing relief efforts,” it said in a statement, encouraging people to help on its website.
Riviera was founded 99 years ago and has hosted the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. The club is scheduled to host the U.S. Women's Open in 2026 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for the first time. The U.S. Open is also scheduled to be held in 2031 for the first time since 1948.
This will be the first time the tournament, formerly known as the Los Angeles Open, will not be held at Riviera since it was held at TPC Valencia in 1998 as Riviera was preparing to host the U.S. Senior Open.
The tournament was first held on the Riviera in 1929.
Firefighters are still struggling with the two men. largest fire (Palisades and Eaton). Work continues to remove toxic ash and debris from devastated communities before rebuilding efforts begin. Officials said Thursday that residents will have to wait at least another week to begin inspecting the remains of their homes because dangerous debris remains in the burnt area.
Woods is exempt from competing in this year's marquee event. The Genesis Invitational is the only non-major tournament he has played on the PGA Tour schedule since his 2021 car accident.
“We're just trying to figure everything out and make sure everyone's safe,” he said Tuesday during his TMRW Golf League debut.
“But at the moment we are not too focused on the tournament, but more on what we can do to help those who are suffering, those who have lost their homes and whose lives have been changed. That’s important,” he said.
