• Tiger Woods expresses concern over wildfires affecting Los Angeles and the Genesis Invitational.
• The PGA Tour event is still scheduled for February despite the ongoing disaster.
• Woods emphasizes the importance of supporting those impacted by the fires.
• There are discussions about potentially relocating the tournament due to safety concerns.
• Golfers share personal connections to the disaster, highlighting community resilience.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Amidst the catastrophic wildfires ravaging Southern California, Tiger Woods is grappling with uncertainty regarding the upcoming Genesis Invitational, a significant PGA Tour event that he hosts at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. Set for February 13-16, the tournament finds itself under a cloud of doubt as residents around the area face devastating losses from the fires. “We’re trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe,” Woods stated during a recent indoor golf event in Florida, emphasizing that the current focus should be on those who have “lost everything.”

Despite Riviera Country Club itself not suffering direct damage, it is located in an area under evacuation orders due to heavy fire activity. Woods has personally connected with those affected, saying, “I know a couple of people that have lost everything.” Alongside other golfers, including Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, and Sahith Theegala, they voiced strong feelings regarding the ongoing disaster. Homa noted the eerie familiarity of seeing neighborhoods he knows well becoming news highlights for their destruction.

Woods outlined that none of the tournament's logistical plans have been finalized and that discussions on possibly postponing or relocating the Genesis Invitational are ongoing, with no firm decisions yet. The entire Los Angeles community is in a state of upheaval as fires have already claimed more than 25 lives and destroyed over 12,000 buildings, marking this event as potentially one of the most expensive in California’s history.

Morikawa poignantly expressed his feelings, stating, “You think it’s over, but it’s not,” as winds continued to fuel the raging blazes while communities rally together to support affected families. Many golfers expressed a desire to assist fire relief efforts, reflecting the resilience and unity of Los Angeles during these tough times. As plans unfold, possible alternative venues for the Genesis Invitational such as Sherwood Country Club or TPC Scottsdale are being considered, but the emotional weight of hosting the event in a time of tragedy stirs many discussions.

Woods and his fellow competitors remain committed to the safety and well-being of their communities first, echoing sentiments that in moments like this, golf takes a backseat to humanitarian concerns. The city’s spirit and determination were echoed by LA28 organizing committee chairman Casey Wasserman, stating, “Los Angeles is defined by its resilience and determination,” showing belief that community strength will shine through this adversity as the city prepares for upcoming global events.

As these events develop, many are hopeful that the Genesis Invitational can proceed in a manner that honors the challenges faced by those in fire-impacted areas while also fostering a sense of community recovery and support.

For further details on the situation, refer to the original articles from AP News and LA Times.