A local professional golf event has been hosted in town ever since 1952 when what is now the Farmers Insurance Open debuted as the San Diego Open at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista.
The tournament has been hosted since 1968 at Torrey Pines, which also has hosted two U.S. Opens.
Unprecedented circumstances have Torrey and the tour crossing paths again for the second time in a month. The Genesis Invitational was relocated from Pacific Palisades to Torrey Pines following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Genesis, which starts Thursday, is among eight limited-field “signature” events with increased payouts ($20 million) and most of the PGA Tour’s top players. Some details and history of the tournament:
Venues
This is the 100th year of the tournament, which debuted in 1926 as the Los Angeles Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
The tournament has been played at 11 courses throughout Los Angeles over the years, though it has been primarily played at Riviera Country Club since World War II.
Riviera, which has hosted the event 60 times, hosted all but two years since 1973. In 1983, it was moved while Riviera prepared to host the PGA Championship. Similarly, it was moved in 1998 when the course prepared to host the U.S. Senior Open.
Invitational
The Genesis is among five tour events designated as an “invitational” with a reduced field, along with the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Charles Schwab Challenge, Memorial Tournament and RBC Heritage.
This year’s 72-player field includes 46 of the top 50 players in the world golf rankings, led by No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 3 Rory McIlroy, No. 4 Collin Morikawa and No. 5 Hideki Matsuyama, the defending champion.
Tiger Woods committed to play in the tournament last week.
On Monday morning, however, the golf superstar announced that he’s “just not ready” to compete.
All four rounds will be played on the South Course.
Notable
Jack Nicklaus made his professional debut in the 1962 tournament. While he made the cut, Nicklaus tied for 50th. His first pro paycheck: $33.33.
Woods played in his first PGA Tour event as a 16-year-old amateur in 1992 at the tournament, then called the Nissan Los Angeles Open. He missed the 36-hole cut by six strokes after shooting 72-75.
Incredibly, neither Nicklaus nor Woods has won the tournament.
• Lloyd Mangrum, a Texan nicknamed “Mr. Icicle,” and Scotland’s Macdonald Smith share the tournament record for wins with four victories apiece.
Three-time winners include Bubba Watson, Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan.
• There have been four champions from San Diego — Phil Mickelson (2008, 2009), Craig Stadler (1996), Billy Casper (1968, 1970) and Gene Littler (1955). The winner’s check jumped a little between the time Littler won ($5,000) and Mickelson’s first title ($1.11 million).
Tournament records
18-hole score: 61 — George Archer (1983, third round), Ted Tryba (1999, third round)
36-hole score: 126 — Joaquin Niemann (2022)
54-hole score: 194 — Joaquin Niemann (2022)
72-hole score: 264 — Lanny Wadkins (1985)
Largest margin of victory: 9 strokes — Phil Rodgers (1962)
Biggest come-from-behind win: 8 strokes — Ken Venturi (1959)
Playoffs (18): Most recent was 2021 (Max Homa def. Tony Finau)
Holes-in-one (42, since 1983): Most recent was Scott Harrington (2021, fourth round)
