The Genesis Invitational: A Tournament Rich With History

LA’s tournament has had an illustrious history throughout the years and while its name may have changed, little else has, it remains one of the most iconic stops on the PGA Tour. The Genesis Invitational, formerly known as the Genesis Open, and L.A. Open, has been a regular stop on Tour since 1926.

Riviera Country Club will be hosting this week for the 59th time, and while the tournament has been held at ten other courses throughout its history, Riviera is by far and away its official home having first played host back in 1929.

” It’s a golf course that I think is one of the best if not the best on Tour” said Patrick Cantlay prior to this week’s Genesis Invitational. That is a sentiment that most would share with Cantlay, it truly is a remarkable and historic place.

Some may refer to it as ‘Hogan’s Alley’ after the legendary golfer won back-to-back LA Opens’ before going on to win his first U.S. Open at Riviera in 1948. Riviera was also the site of the historic PGA Tour debut of young Tiger Woods in 1992.

The Genesis Invitational has had plenty of historic moments throughout the events illustrious history

• The LA Open began in 1926 with an inaugural prize of 10,000 dollars, which is some way off the 12 million dollars that will be on offer this week to the best in the game. The winner of the 2022 Genesis Invitational will take home a cool 2.16 million, the largest amount in the tournament’s history.
• Macdonald Smith wins the LA Open for a 4th time in 1934 which at the time was the most in the history of this iconic event. Lloyd Mangrum would go on to tie that record with four wins of his own. Smith and Mangrum still hold the record for most tournament victories, with Bubba Watson (3), Ben Hogan (3), and Arnold Palmer (3) as the only players behind them to have won it three times.
• Charlie Stifford wins the LA Open in 1969. The Charlie Stifford Exemption would be introduced in 2009 in order to bring greater diversity to the game and reward those who may not have the opportunity otherwise. Cameron Champ received the award in 2018 and Aaron Beverly is the 2022 recipient.
•  The LA Open returned to Riviera in 1973 for the first time in twenty years, the tournament has been played at Riviera Country Club every year since then with the exception of 1983, and 1998.
• In 1982 Tom Watson beat Johnny Miller in a playoff in one of the most memorable finishes in tournament history, although last year’s win for Max Homa over Tony Finau, also after a playoff, must be close behind in the best finishes category.
• Tiger Woods makes his debut in 1992 at the young age of 16, and the rest as they like to say is history.
• In 2005 Adam Scott would win a 36 hole tournament after weather wreaked havoc, it’s not the only time that weather has played a part at this famous event, Dustin Johnson won in 2017 after having to play 36 holes on Sunday due to weather disruptions. Just last year Max Homa also had to play extra holes (24) on Sunday after incredible winds wreaked havoc on Saturday causing a delay.
• The Collegiate Showcase is introduced in 2015 with the winner being awarded an exemption into the field at the Genesis Invitational, Will Zalatoris, Sahith Theegala, and Scottie Scheffler are some of the previous winners of the event that earned their spot into the Genesis. All three are in the field this week as well, while Wake Forests’ Michael Brennan earned his way into the field this week after his showcase win on Monday.
• California native and hometown hero Max Homa wins the Genesis Invitational in 2021 after a thrilling playoff victory over Tony Finau.

The Genesis Invitational has provided a large collection of historical and memorable moments throughout its history, It is one of the best tournaments on the PGA schedule, and this week will surely only add to its incredible past.