A few of the nation's best golfers gathered nearly 3,000 miles from their hometown of Los Angeles for a strange indoor tournament, hitting balls on a giant screen, but their heads and hearts were with the victims. Destruction forest fire Raging through Southern California.
Although they don't know much about the plans for it Genesis invitationFeb. The signature PGA Tour event with a $20-million purse is scheduled for 13-16. Riviera Country Club In Pacific Palisades, they have a lot to say about the fire victims and the ways they can help.
“We're trying to figure everything out and make sure everyone is safe, and we're planning meetings,” he said. Tiger WoodsMentioned that he knew “a couple who lost everything.” Palisades Fire.
“But right now, we're not really focused on the tournament,” Woods added. “It's about what we can do to help people who are struggling, who have lost their homes and whose lives have been changed.”
Woods and others suggested relocating the Genesis Invitational rather than canceling or postponing it would be a better solution. But they have clarified that no decision has been taken. Riviera avoided damage but was smack in the middle of a burn-out Pacific Palisades Currently inaccessible neighborhood and Under eviction orders.
Woods sponsors the Genesis Invitational, and A famous golfer who grew up in Orange County He's also the founder of TGL, short for TMRW Golf League, a simulator experience that held its second tournament this week at the SoFi Center — not to be confused. Sophie Stadium in Inglewood. The location is on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens.

Max Homa, left, and Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club react as they tee off behind the Los Angeles Golf Club on Tuesday. Two golfers say they are following wildfires in Los Angeles County.
(Marta Lavandier/Associated Press)
So, rather than playing golf from this perch, Woods and his fellow PGA Tour players have SoCal roots — Maximum Homam, Colin Morikawa And Sahit Thikala – Talked about the ravages of fire and the future of the Riviera.
“I know these natural disasters happen all too often, but every newscast, every time someone mentioned the area, I could picture it,” said Homa, who was born in Burbank and grew up in Santa Clarita. “It was scary. Fortunately, all my friends and family are safe. Not necessarily all the houses were the same, but it was nice to be able to talk to a few, and their perspective was amazing, 'Hey, we're safe, that's the most important thing'.
Digala grew up in Chino Hills and attended Pepperdine, driving to the Malibu campus daily on Pacific Coast Highway. His caddy's sister Carl Smith's home was destroyed in the fire.
“When you see it in front of your eyes, it's so real, it's scarier than any media portrayal, scarier than anything that's been described,” Deegala said.
The unrelenting flames have been burning in Morikawa's mind for days.
“I get to that point sometimes when you think it's over, but it's not,” said Morikawa, who grew up in La Cañada Flintridge. “The wind is blowing, the fire is still going, people are still fighting fires, protecting their homes, helping neighbors, helping communities.”
Although Rex Hogarth, host of SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, has not many insiders speculated on what the PGA Tour will do with the Genesis Invitational.Golf Channel Podcast with Rex and Lav” He said he spoke to a Riviera member and came away with this thought:
“I talked to a member at the Riviera today and he said the club is fine. There's no damage to the golf course. There's no damage to the clubhouse. But everything around it is destroyed. … This member told me they're still in evacuation mode. People are really close to the golf course. Nowhere to go. You can't get into the community even if the golf course is nice.
Co-host Ryan Launer added, “I think it's a drain on that community's resources. I don't know how you are there, what about three weeks from now? I don't see that happening.
The podcast mentioned that the Genesis Invitational might go Sherwood Country Club Currently hosted by La Quinta Country Club in Thousand Oaks American Express Competitionor the Torrey Pines Golf CourseWhere Farmers opening It will be held from January 22-25. TPC Scottsdale, Ariz., will host Waste management is open February 6-9 is another option.
Expectations for an extensive and shockingly expensive recovery from the fire have arisen Concerns about LA hosting three major sporting events Over the next three years. World Cup matches are scheduled to SoFi Stadium in the summer of 2026 2027 Super Bowlcontinuously 2028 Summer Olympics.
No stadiums or arenas in the region have been damaged so far, giving event organizers and government leaders confidence that there will be no need to change plans.
“Los Angeles is defined by its resilience and determination” Casey WassermanThe chairman of the LA28 organizing committee said in a statement. “The strength of our communities and our unity in difficult times make this city extraordinary, and when Los Angeles welcomes the world in 2028, our spirit will shine brighter than ever.”