On Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio’s Golf Channel Podcast with Rex and Law, a golf insider shed light on the dire situation. According to a member of the Riviera Country Club, the course itself has escaped damages. However, the fires have heavily impacted the surrounding areas and communities.

“I spoke with a member today at Rivera and he said the club is fine. The golf course didn’t receive any damage. The clubhouse hasn’t received any damage. But everything around it is devastated…But, this member told me they’re still in evacuation mode. People can’t really get anywhere near the golf course. You can’t get into the community even if the golf course is fine.”

“Even if you can’t logistically cut it off, I think it would be such a drain on the resources of that community. I don’t know how you have it there, what is it 3 weeks away now. I just don’t see it happening.”

Golf insiders propose an alternative for Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational amid the raging California fires

The hosts of the Golf Channel Podcast stated that the optics of a high-profile event like the Genesis Invitational and its $20 million purse present a dilemma. They said (via Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio):

“It’s hard to imagine that they can play at Rivera because it looks straight out of Armageddon. I also don’t love the optics of the PGA Tour coming to town having eclipsing a Signature event with a $20 million purse when so many people have lost so much.”

“They had an event [2020 Zozo Championship] a couple of years ago during COVID where they couldn’t have it overseas. So, they brought it to Sherwood [Country Club in California]. It went off just fine. I know it’s not ideal but it’s still a way to have a Signature event with a marquee field and give back to the greater Southern California community.”