Tiger Woods has offered his support to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and admitted he is unsure what will happen with next month’s Genesis Invitational that he hosts in the area.
Woods is due to host the PGA Tour Signature Event from February 13-16 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, one of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the most destructive wildfire in California’s history.
The former world No 1 – who grew up in southern California – said he knows “a couple people that have lost everything” in the fires, while no decision has currently been made on whether the tournament can still go ahead at Riviera.
Woods hosts the Genesis Invitational through his foundation each year
“We’re trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe and we have meetings scheduled going forward,” Woods said on Tuesday, following his debut in the TGL.
“As of right now, we’re not really focused on the tournament. It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who’s struggling, who’s lost homes and had their lives changed. There’s so many other things that are bigger than that [tournament].”
Tickets are still currently being sold for the Genesis, despite uncertainly on whether it will be possible to play an event in the area, with a statement from tournament organisers on January 10 saying “our immediate concern is the health and welfare of those in the affected areas”.
Ahead of his TGL debut, Woods had posted on X: “The devastation that is ongoing with the LA fires is such a tragedy and being from California, it hits home. My heart is with those who have suffered unimaginable loss.
“Thank you to the incredible heroes that are the first responders helping to contain and save the community of Los Angeles. We plan to provide an update on our own charitable efforts to help those communities in the coming weeks. Stay strong LA!”
‘Silly to be focused on the tournament’
Woods’ Jupiter Links team lost 12-1 in their TGL opener to the Los Angeles Golf Club, with team-mate Max Homa – another southern California native – also believing the Genesis Invitational’s status should be far from anyone’s mind right now.
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A look back at the best of the action from Woods’ TGL debut, where Jupiter Links Golf Club were thrashed by Los Angeles Golf Club
“This was the first one [natural disaster] I can remember where every news clip, every time someone mentioned an area, I could picture it so well,” Homa said. “It was very eerie. Fortunately, all my friends and family are safe.
“Houses not necessarily still all intact, but it was nice to be able to talk to quite a few people, and I think their perspective has been amazing about, ‘Hey, we’re safe, and that’s what matters most’.
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Highlights of the final round of the 2024 Genesis Invitational from Riviera Country Club, where Hideki Matsuyama won
“No offence to Tiger and TGL and Genesis, but it seems silly at the moment to be overly focused on a golf tournament when people are still continuing to have this go on and living in a bit of fear in So Cal. It’s been really tough, but again, I’m just very happy that a lot of people have gotten out, been safe.”
Collin Morikawa – part of the winning side on Tuesday – said representing the city weighed heavily on him and team-mates Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala, with the two-time major champion among those to be wearing an ‘LA Strong’ T-shirt that is being sold to raise money for fire relief efforts.
“You think it’s over, but it’s not,” Morikawa said. “Winds are picking up. Fires are still going. People are still out there, fighting the fires, protecting their houses, helping their neighbours, helping communities. That’s why LA is, to me, such a great city. You see all the people coming together.
“We’re probably the newest team in LA, but to get back-to-back wins with the [Los Angeles] Rams and then us…you laugh at that, I know. But look, we don’t take this lightly.”
Watch the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational live from February 13-16 on Sky Sports Golf. Stream PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.
