The History of the Genesis Invitational: From the Los Angeles Open to a PGA Tour Signature Event
The Genesis Invitational, one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour, boasts a rich history that spans nearly a century. Originating as the Los Angeles Open, it has evolved into a signature event known for its challenging course, high-caliber field, and significant purse. Here’s a comprehensive look at the evolution of this iconic golf tournament.
Early Beginnings
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1926: The Genesis Invitational started its life as the Los Angeles Open. The inaugural event was held at the Los Angeles Country Club, offering a groundbreaking $10,000 purse, which was the largest in professional golf at that time. This tournament was one of the earliest city opens, designed to bring golf to the public eye and promote the city of Los Angeles.
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Venue Changes: Over the decades, the event moved between numerous courses in the Southern California area, including Fox Hills Country Club, Inglewood Country Club, and Rancho Park. It was not until 1973 that the tournament found its long-term home at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, where it has been hosted almost every year since.
Era of Legends
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Notable Champions: The tournament has seen victories by golf legends like Ben Hogan, who won three times, giving rise to the nickname "Hogan's Alley" for Riviera. Other notable winners include Arnold Palmer, who clinched three titles, and modern stars like Bubba Watson, who has also secured three victories.
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Firsts and Milestones: The Genesis Invitational has been the stage for several significant firsts in golf. Babe Didrikson Zaharias became the first woman to play in this event in 1938, and in 1948, Bill Spiller and Ted Rhodes broke barriers as the first African Americans to compete in a non-USGA, PGA Tour event.
Modern Era and Rebranding
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Sponsorships: Over the years, the tournament has seen various sponsors, including Nissan, Northern Trust, and currently, Genesis Motors, which took over in 2017, leading to the event's current name. Each sponsorship brought new elements to the tournament, enhancing its prestige and visibility.
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Inaugural Invitational: In 2020, the tournament transitioned from an open to an invitational format, cutting down the field size to around 120 players, making it one of the select few on the PGA Tour with this status. This change also came with a substantial increase in the purse, reflecting the tournament's status as a signature event.
Tiger Woods and the Tournament
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Host and Competitor: Tiger Woods has had a special relationship with the Genesis Invitational. Not only did he make his PGA Tour debut as an amateur at this event in 1992 at Riviera, but he has also been the host of the tournament since its transition to an invitational format. Despite not winning the event, his connection adds a layer of legacy to the tournament.
Recent Developments
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as the Los Angeles Open to becoming the Genesis Invitational, this tournament has grown in stature, significance, and tradition. It's not just a competition; it's a celebration of golf's history, where legends are both made and honored. As it looks to the future, the Genesis Invitational continues to be a key event on the PGA Tour calendar, blending the old with the new in the heart of Los Angeles.
2025 PGA Tournament
January:
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The Sentry - Kapalua Resort, Maui, HI (Jan 2-5)
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Sony Open in Hawaii - Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, HI (Jan 9-12)
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The American Express - PGA West & La Quinta CC, La Quinta, CA (Jan 13-19)
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Farmers Insurance Open - Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, CA (Jan 20-25)
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AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Pebble Beach, CA (Jan 27-Feb 2)
February:
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WM Phoenix Open - TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ (Feb 3-9)
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The Genesis Invitational - Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA (Feb 10-16)
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Mexico Open at Vidanta - Vidanta Vallarta, Vallarta, Mexico (Feb 17-23)
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The Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches - PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Feb 24-Mar 2)
March:
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Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard - Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando, FL (Mar 3-9)
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The Players Championship - TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Mar 10-16)
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Valspar Championship - Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, FL (Mar 17-23)
April:
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Texas Children's Houston Open - Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, TX (Mar 24-30)
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Valero Texas Open - TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, TX (Mar 31-Apr 6)
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The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA (Apr 7-13)
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RBC Heritage - Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC (Apr 14-20)
May:
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THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson - TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX (May 1-4)
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Truist Championship - The Philadelphia Cricket Club, Philadelphia, PA (Signature Event, May 8-11)
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Myrtle Beach Classic - Dunes Golf and Beach Club, Myrtle Beach, SC (May 8-11)
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PGA Championship - Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC (May 15-18)
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Charles Schwab Challenge - Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, TX (May 22-25)
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the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday - Muirfield Village, Dublin, OH (Signature Event, May 29-Jun 1)
June:
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RBC Canadian Open - TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Toronto, ON, Canada (Jun 5-8)
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U.S. Open - Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, PA (Jun 9-15)
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Travelers Championship - TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, CT (Jun 19-22)
July:
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Genesis Scottish Open - The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, Scotland (Co-sanctioned with DP World Tour, Jul 7-13)
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The Open Championship - Royal Portrush, Portrush, Northern Ireland (Jul 14-20)
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Barracuda Championship - Tahoe Mountain Club, Truckee, CA (Co-sanctioned with DP World Tour, Jul 14-20)
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3M Open - TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, MN (Jul 21-27)
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Wyndham Championship - Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC (Jul 28-Aug 3)
August:
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FedEx St. Jude Championship - TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN (Aug 4-10)
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BMW Championship - Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, MD (Aug 11-17)
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Tour Championship - East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, GA (Aug 18-24)
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