Los Angeles: The famed Riviera Country Club, located northwest of Los Angeles, is now within the mandatory evacuation zone due to the rapidly spreading Pacific Palisades wildfire. The fire, which began on Tuesday morning, has consumed over 15,000 acres, destroyed more than 100 properties, and continues to threaten others, including the renowned golf course.
Riviera, home to the PGA Tour’s prestigious Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods, is set to host this annual tournament from February 13-16. The fire has caused significant concern, with social media images showing the course juxtaposed with the thick black smoke billowing from the surrounding wildfires.
Despite the looming threat, a reporter covering the Sony Open in Honolulu on Wednesday confirmed that Riviera had not yet suffered damage. However, the fire’s proximity has caused distress, with Keegan Bradley, a golfer at the event, sharing that many local residents, including those he played with, were forced to evacuate and feared for the safety of their homes.
“It’s sad because I played with four guys from LA today, and they’re stressed out,” Bradley said. “Their families had to evacuate, and their homes could be gone. It’s sad.”
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As of Wednesday afternoon, the Pacific Palisades fire remains 0% contained, and the situation continues to develop.
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Riviera Country Club, established in 1926 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, has hosted a PGA Tour event every year since 1973, except for 1983 and 1998. The course has also welcomed major events like the U.S. Open in 1948, the PGA Championship in 1983 and 1995, and the Los Angeles Open in various years from 1929-1953. Looking ahead, Riviera is slated to host the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2028 Summer Olympics, and the 2031 U.S. Open.
