Torrey Pines To Host Genesis Invitational – Home To Nine Tiger Woods Triumphs

9 months ago by Comments Off on Torrey Pines To Host Genesis Invitational – Home To Nine Tiger Woods Triumphs

The 2025 Genesis Invitational this year is heading south from the tragic wildfire ravaged Pacific Palasides regioin of Los Angeles to Torrey Pines at La Jolla.

The PGA Tour will soon confirm this move some 130 miles south to the stunning Pacific Ocean clifftop region just north of San Diego.

ADDITION:  The PGA Tour officially confirmed today (Friday 24th Jan) of the move.  See below PGA Tour and Tiger Woods comments.

It’s a decision that should be welcomed by all involved and also retains its 13th to 16th February scheduled competiton dates.

GolfByTourMiss spoke to a number of players at last week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, including the likes of Jimmy Walker, Luke Donald, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy and Scot Bob MacIntyre who each agreed with eventual decision to move the $20m event.


These players, no doubt, will also now approve of Torrey Pines that this week hosts the $9.3m Farmers Insurance Open.

It will mean two PGA Tour events at the same course in a month however it is expected that the Genesis Invitational will be played over the South Course while the Farmers Insurance Open over both the North and South Course, as it has been since Torrey Pines has been associated with hosting a PGA Tour event back in 1968.

As well, the South Course has hosted two US Open titles – won in 2008 by Tiger Woods and in 2021 by John Rahm.

Farmers Insurance Tournament Director Marty Gorsich indicated he has been contacted by the PGA Tour late last week but said as of Monday morning that a final decision had not been reached. He also cautioned that could change quickly.

“No ink on paper, no handshakes, just questions and timing,” Gorsich said.

Late Monday afternoon, Gorsich texted: “Nothing concrete yet. Going to be all about the Pro-am and getting things kicked off here tomorrow, but, hopefully, we get clarity on the other stuff in the next day or two.”

CBS’ Rick Gehman was the first to report this year’s Genesis event would be moving to Torrey Pines.

Gehman tweeted: “I have the understanding that Torrey Pines will be selected to host the Genesis Invitational. The combination of 1) keeping it in California and 2) proximity to the original event — were some of the factors that pushed it over the edge.”

Golfweek reported that the tour is in the “final stages of negotiations” to bring the event to Torrey Pines.

The PGA Tour had announced lastThursday that this year’s Genesis Invitational would be moved “out of respect for the unfolding situation.” The tour’s statement said a venue update would be forthcoming, though no official announcement has been made.

The Genesis Invitational, which is hosted by Tiger Woods, is among the PGA Tour’s eight “signature” events, with limited fields of the tour’s top players and increased prize money. Its $20 million payout is more than double the $9.3 million being offered this year at the Farmers.

However, in moving the Genesis Invitational to La Jolla presents other questions to be answered including:

• Can Farmers Insurance Open tournament infrastructure remain in place for the next three weeks, or is it needed elsewhere?

• How will the city be compensated for significant loss in revenue with the course(s) closed to the public for an additional three weeks?

• How will ticketing be done?

• Will organisers be able to attract a suitable number of volunteers to help run the event?

And, perhaps most pressing for golf fans:

Will Woods play? The Genesis was among a handful of tournaments Woods participated in last year, though he withdrew during the second round with flu-like symptoms. Torrey Pines has played a significant role in Woods’ career. He has eight professional victories there (seven Farmers championships, plus the 2008 U.S. Open title), along with a 1991 Junior World title.

UPDATE – 24th January 

PGA Tour Commissioner – Jay Monahan

“We are grateful to Farmers Insurance, Mayor Todd Gloria and the City of San Diego and the Century Club for extending the invitation to relocate The Genesis Invitational to Torrey Pines.”

Genesis Invitational Tournament host Tiger Woods 

“We look forward to playing on another championship-caliber golf course this year and using the tournament to support those affected by the fires in the Los Angeles area.”

 



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