The PGA Tour has chosen to move the Genesis Invitational away from Riviera Country Club next month due to the devastating wildfires impacting Los Angeles, particularly in the Pacific Palisades area where the club is located. This decision comes as a step of respect for the community affected by these tragedies.
While the exact new location for the tournament, scheduled for February 13-16, has not yet been confirmed, one possibility could be another golf course that is already part of the West Coast Swing, which would help reduce costs and time needed for setting up the event.
Riviera, located just south of Sunset Boulevard and roughly four miles from the Pacific Ocean, has fortunately not suffered any damage from the recent fires. However, the wildfires have claimed at least 25 lives and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, prompting the PGA Tour to coordinate with its title sponsor Genesis, Riviera Country Club, and TGR Live regarding the move.
An announcement regarding the new venue is anticipated in the coming days. In their statement, the PGA Tour emphasized its commitment to finding effective ways to support the firefighters and residents of Los Angeles during this challenging time.
Riviera Country Club has a storied history, having been founded 99 years ago and hosting numerous prestigious events, including the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. It is set to host the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time in 2026, as well as the golf competition for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the U.S. Open again in 2031.
This upcoming tournament will mark the first time since 1998 that the event, previously known as the Los Angeles Open, is not being held at Riviera. The last time it was moved was to TPC Valencia while Riviera prepared for the U.S. Senior Open.
Firefighters are still working hard to contain the two largest fires in the area, known as the Palisades and Eaton fires. Residents in affected neighborhoods will need to wait at least another week before they can begin to assess the damage to their homes due to the hazardous conditions caused by debris.
Tiger Woods, who is hosting the Genesis Invitational, has made it clear that the safety and well-being of everyone impacted is a top priority. He mentioned that while tournament details are important, the focus remains on helping the victims who have lost homes and are facing significant life changes due to the wildfires.
