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Tiger Woods has shared his deep concern about the devastating widespread wildfires that have ravaged the Los Angeles area and threatened the Genesis Invitational.

After making his TGL debut on Tuesday, Woods said he was unsure about the status of the Genesis, which is scheduled to take place next month at the iconic Riviera Country Club.

The fires have caused destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of LA, the home of Riviera, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes.

The Genesis, which Woods hosts, has been viewed as his likely next start on the PGA Tour, but the 15-time major champion understandably has bigger concerns on his mind.

Woods was in a jovial mood despite defeat in his TGL opener, but struck a more serious tone when asked about the fires.

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“It’s just sad,” Woods said at the So-Fi Center in Florida after taking part for his losing Jupiter Links team in the new indoor golf league. “Max [Homa] and I have grown up there. We’re So Cal kids. To see what has happened, I’ve known a couple of people who lost everything, so it’s just hard.”

The PGA Tour is monitoring the situation in relation to the Genesis – scheduled for February 13-16 –  though no decision has yet been made on a possible change of location.

“We’re trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe, and we have meetings scheduled going forward,” Woods added.

“But as of right now, we’re not really focused on the tournament. It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who’s struggling, who’s lost homes and had their lives changed.”

The news has also hit Homa close to home.

“It’s devastating,” the 2021 Genesis champion said. “I know that these natural disasters happen far too often. This is the first one I can remember where every news, every time someone mentioned an area, I could picture it so well. It was very eerie.

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“I’ve had a lot of people ask me about the golf tournament. No offense to Tiger and TGR (Woods’ foundation) and Genesis, but it seems silly at the moment to be overly focused on a golf tournament when people are still continuing to have this go on and living in a bit of fear in So Cal.

“It’s been really tough, but again, I’m just very happy that a lot of people have gotten out, been safe.”

Woods, meanwhile, remained tight-lipped when asked whether the Genesis could be his next start outside the high-tech TGL arena.

“Now, as far as playing, I walked, what, all three rounds at PNC, had a great time there, and the walking is not the issue,” he said. “It’s my game is not very good.”


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Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.

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