The devastating inferno that continues to wreak havoc on the Los Angeles metropolitan area has forced the PGA Tour to make emergency plans for next month's Genesis Invitational.
According to NBC News, the Palisades fire caused Expands its reach to nearly 20,000 acres As of Friday morning. Firefighters have only managed to extinguish 6% of the fires, and about 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate. Five other wildfires are burning in the Los Angeles area, blamed on strong winds and dry conditions in the Santa Ana area. The hellish landscape has led many to compare this natural disaster (already the costliest in Los Angeles' history) to the apocalypse. This photo shows the Los Angeles Chargers practicing before their matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL Wild Card. houston texans I support that idea.
Pacific Palisades, of course, is home to Riviera Country Club and hosts the annual Genesis Invitational. The course is popular with players, fans and broadcasters alike. This historic course has hosted the PGA Tour every year since 1973, with the exception of 1983 and 1998. It also hosted two PGA Championships and the 1948 U.S. Open.
The fire has not yet reached the golf course and clubhouse, but the inferno can be seen clearly from the club grounds. The first fire started just eight miles west of the Riviera.
As a result, the PGA Tour is considering alternative options for next month's Genesis Invitational, a tournament scheduled for Feb. 13-16, currently hosted by Tiger Woods.
According to Golf Digest, PGA Tour sent memo to players Thursday evening.
The memo reads:
“The PGA Tour is monitoring the devastating fires that have occurred in Los Angeles County.
“At this time, it is premature to discuss the potential impact on the Genesis Invitational. While Riviera Country Club has not been directly affected by the fire, our immediate concerns are with the The health and well-being of people in affected communities, including all connected members.
“We will continue to update our members with the latest information as the situation evolves.”
Golf Digest also reports that the PGA Tour may hold the Genesis Invitational at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. With the WM Phoenix Open the week before, TPC Scottsdale could potentially host PGA Tour events in consecutive weeks.
This is not the first time such wildfires have affected professional sporting events. The NFL announced Monday night's wild card matchup. Los Angeles Rams and minnesota vikings From SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The NBA also postponed Thursday's game. los angeles lakers And the Charlotte Hornets.
Professional golf tournaments require extensive resources and emergency personnel. Given the disaster the Los Angeles area is currently facing, first responders will be repurposed to put out fires and assist those in need. No one knows what the situation will be in the coming weeks, but right now the PGA Tour is preparing for alternatives, and rightly so.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
