The PGA Tour may be forced to relocate the Genesis Invitational due to the fires in Los Angeles, California. The Tour informed members that it is monitoring the situation in Pacific Palisades, where the Riviera Country Club is located, but it has not made an official decision regarding the status of the event.
According to reports, Riviera Country Club has not been affected by the fires but other golf courses were not as lucky. Altadena Golf Course in L.A. County was among the 5,000 homes and businesses that were decimated by the blaze.
The fires started in Palisades but have since spread across the greater Los Angeles area with five blazes now growing. The California fires have now destroyed over 10,000 acres of land, thanks in part to strong winds, which have helped extend the reach of the blaze.
“The PGA Tour is monitoring the devastating fires in Los Angeles County. At this point, it is premature to discuss the potential impact on the Genesis Invitational. Although the Riviera Country Club has not been directly affected by the fires, our immediate concern is the health and welfare of those in the affected communities, including all our members who have ties to Southern California,” the Tour wrote to players at 5 p.m. on Thursday. “We will keep the membership updated as the situation develops.”
Will The PGA Tour Be Forced To Move The Genesis Invitational?
The Tour was originally scheduled to stop at Riviera Country Club for the 2025 Genesis Invitational in four weeks on February 13th. The tournament, which is hosted by Tiger Woods, is a signature event that typically draws the biggest stars on the Tour.
Despite avoiding major damage, Riviera is still located in the mandatory evacuation zone that was implemented earlier this week. There may also be logistical challenges with getting players, tournament officials, and fans to the golf course without hindering recovery efforts.
Additionally, playing the tournament in an area recently devastated by wildfires might not be a good look for the Tour’s reputation, which might prompt the Genesis Invitational to be relocated or canceled altogether.
Where Might The Genesis Invitational Be Moved?
According to sources cited by Golf Digest, the PGA Tour is unlikely to play back-to-back events in Mexico. That means if the Genesis Invitational is going to be relocated, it is likely going to move to a golf course nearby.
The NFL recently moved its playoff game from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to Glendale, Arizona.
The PGA Tour could consider a similar move to nearby TPC Scottsdale, which is set to host the Phoenix Open the week prior. That would help minimize travel before the Tour crosses the border for the Mexico Open later that month.
