Tiger Woods is sharing details of the ‘difficult decision’ to move the Genesis Invitational, which takes place annually at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. Woods made his PGA Tour debut at Riviera in 1992 at 16-years-old; he has never won the Genesis, but has played the event in each of the last two years (as of press time, it is unknown if Woods will play again this year).
The Riviera Country Club has been home to the Woods-hosted event since 1999. After the recent devastating from the LA wildfires, however, the tournament will move to Torrey Pines in San Diego, the site of last week’s Farmers Insurance Invitational. Woods said that while other courses in California, Phoenix and Las Vegas were considered to host the Genesis Invitational, the decision to keep the Genesis Invitational in Southern California was an important one, and that it can be helpful in the area’s recovery.
Woods. 49, said Monday from his TGL match in Florida: “Riv is just not ready. There were so many different options out on the table, and we were trying to be understanding to all the victims that these fires have caused. The fact that with the city of San Diego we were able to stay within Southern California. With respect to the difficulties in L.A., I think 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 … I think because we’re in Southern California, I think we’re going to be able to raise more money for all the losses that have incurred.”
Torrey Pines in San Diego will host the Genesis Invitational from Feb. 13-16. Hideki Matsuyama is the defending champion, with he signature event boasting a $20 million purse.
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