The prestigious Genesis Invitational faces an unprecedented change as wildfires force relocation from Los Angeles to San Diego's Torrey Pines, where world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads an elite field into action.
Battle of the Elite
Scheffler enters as betting favorite despite a rocky T25 finish at the WM Phoenix Open, where his back-nine struggles included three bogeys and a double. His recent T9 at Pebble Beach, however, suggests the form that saw him claim four victories in five starts following last year's Genesis remains within reach.
McIlroy's Momentum
Fresh from his victory at Pebble Beach two weeks ago, Rory McIlroy arrives at Torrey Pines seeking to maintain his winning momentum. The Northern Irishman's presence adds significant weight to an already compelling tournament.
'The course setup at Torrey Pines presents a unique challenge, especially with the recent location change,' McIlroy shared during his pre-tournament press conference.
Rising Stars and Veterans
The field features an intriguing mix of established stars and emerging talent. Collin Morikawa brings solid early-season form, including a runner-up finish at The Sentry and T17 at Pebble Beach. Justin Thomas, following his T6 at Scottsdale, looks to build on his strong showing at The American Express.
Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, who opened 2025 with victory at The Sentry, seeks to recapture that winning form after mixed results in recent starts.
Notable Absence
The tournament suffered a significant blow with Tiger Woods' withdrawal, as the golf legend continues to process the recent loss of his mother. Woods expressed his emotional state through social media:
'I did my best to prepare, knowing it's what my Mom would have wanted, but I'm still processing her loss,' Woods shared on his official channels.
Looking Ahead
With the unexpected venue change and a field featuring six of the world's top ten players, the 2025 Genesis Invitational promises compelling golf despite the circumstances that forced its relocation.
Editor: Yana Davydyuk
