Tiger Woods expressed support for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and admitted he is unsure what will happen next month when he hosts the Genesis Invitational in the area.
Woods will host the PGA Tour’s signature event Feb. 13-16 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, one of the communities hardest hit by the pandemic. most destructive wildfires in California history.
The former world No. 1, who grew up in Southern California, said he knew “some people who lost everything in the fire” and that a decision had not yet been made on whether the tournament could still be held at Riviera.
“We’re working hard to iron out everything and make sure everyone is safe, and we have follow-up meetings scheduled,” Woods said after his TGL debut on Tuesday.
“So far, we’re not really focused on the championship. It’s more about what we can do to help everybody who’s struggling, people who are losing their homes and having their lives changed. There’s a lot of other things that are more important than that ( Championship))”.
Although it is uncertain whether the event can be held in the region, tickets for the Genesis event are still on sale, and event organizers issued a statement on January 10 saying that “our primary concern is the health and well-being of people in the affected areas.”
Ahead of his TGL debut, Woods posted on People are together.”
“Thank you to the incredible heroes who were the first to help contain and save Los Angeles communities. We plan to provide updates in the coming weeks on our own philanthropic efforts to help these communities. Stay Strong Los Angeles! “
“It would be foolish to focus on the game”
Woods’ Jupiter Links team lost 12-1 to Los Angeles Golf Club in the TGL opener, and his teammate Max Homa, another Southern Californian, also believes the Genesis Invitational status should be away from anyone now idea.
“This is the first (natural disaster) that I can remember where every news clip, every time someone mentioned an area, I could picture it so clearly,” Homa said. “It’s pretty eerie. Luckily. Yes, all my friends and family are safe.
“The house isn’t necessarily intact, but it’s great to be able to talk to a lot of people and I think their perspective is amazing, ‘Hey, we’re safe and that’s all that matters’.
“No offense to Tiger, TGL and Genesis, but it seems silly to focus too much on golf tournaments right now because people in Southern California are continuing this and living in a little bit of fear. It’s really tough.” But again, I feel Very happily, many people escaped safely. “
Collin Morikawa of Tuesday’s winning team said representing the city was stressful for him and teammates Justin Rose and Sahith Theegala, two of whom Worn by a Grand Slam champion “LA Power” T-shirt The items are being sold to raise funds for firefighting.
“You think it’s over, but it’s not,” Morikawa said. “The winds are getting stronger. The fires are still going on. People are still out putting out fires, protecting homes, helping neighbors, helping the community. That’s why Los Angeles is such a great city to me. You see everyone coming together. .
“We may be the newest team in L.A., but to have back-to-back wins with the (Los Angeles) Rams and us… I know you’re going to laugh at that. But look, we don’t take this lightly. “
Watch the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational live on Sky Sports Golf Channel from February 13-16. Stream PGA Tour events, major championships and more with NOW.