LA fires: Tiger Woods offers his support to those affected and gives an update on the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational | Golf news

Tiger Woods has offered his support to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and admitted he is unsure what will happen to next month’s Genesis Invitational, which he is hosting in the area.

Woods is scheduled to host the PGA Tour Signature Event Feb. 13-16 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods the most destructive forest fire in California history.

The former world No 1 – who grew up in Southern California – said he knew “a few people who lost everything” in the fires, while no decision has been made at the moment on whether the tournament can still be held on the Riviera.

“We’re trying to figure it all out and make sure everyone’s safe and we’ve got meetings going forward,” Woods said Tuesday, after his TGL debut.

“Right now, we’re not really focused on the tournament. It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who is struggling, who’s lost their homes and whose lives have changed. There are so many other things that are bigger than that (the tournament). “

Tickets are still on sale for Genesis, despite uncertainty over whether it will be possible to play the event in the area, with a statement from tournament organizers on January 10 saying “our immediate concern is the health and well-being of those in the affected area”. areas”.

Ahead of his TGL debut, Woods posted on X: “The ongoing devastation of the LA fires is such a tragedy and being from California, it hits home. My heart goes out to those who have suffered unimaginable loss.

“Thank you to the incredible hero first responders to help contain and save the Los Angeles community. We plan to provide updates on our own charitable efforts to help those communities in the coming weeks. Stay strong LA!”

‘It’s stupid to be focused on the tournament’

Woods’ Jupiter Links team lost 12-1 in its first TGL match to Los Angeles Golf Club, and teammate Max Homa – another Southern California native – also believes Genesis Invitational status should be far from everyone at this point.

“This was the first (natural disaster) that I remember where every newspaper clipping, every time someone mentioned an area, I could picture it so well,” Homa said. “It was very creepy. Fortunately, all my friends and family are safe.

“The houses aren’t necessarily whole yet, but it was nice to be able to talk to a lot of people and I think their perspective was amazing about, ‘Hey, we’re safe, and that’s the most important thing.’

“No offense to Tiger, TGL, and Genesis, but right now it seems silly to be overly focused on a golf tournament while people continue to live in fear in So Cal. It’s been really tough, but again, I’m just really happy that a lot of people came out out, be safe.”

Collin Morikawa – part of Tuesday’s winning side – said representing the city weighed heavily on him and his team-mates Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala, with the two-time major champion among those to carry T-shirt ‘LA Strong’ which is being sold to raise money to help firefighters.

“You think it’s over, but it’s not,” Morikawa said. “The winds are picking up. The fires are still burning. People are still out there fighting fires, protecting their homes, helping their neighbors, helping their communities. That’s why LA, to me, is such a great city. You see all the people coming together.

“We’re probably the newest team in LA, but back-to-back wins with the (Los Angeles) Rams and then us … you’re laughing at that, I know. But look, we’re not taking this lightly.”

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