The Genesis Open Championship

The Genesis Open Championship was held February 13-16 at Palisades, CA’s Riviera Country Club, one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Debuting in 1926 as the Los Angeles (Country Club) Open, the tournament was initially staged at various courses throughout the Los Angeles area before permanently settling at the Riviera in 1973, where, with one exception, it has been held each year since. The course has seen many significant moments in golf history and is known as the site of Jack Nicklaus’ professional debut, as well as the stage for Tiger Woods’ first PGA TOUR tournament. The first three-time winner, Lloyd Eugene Mangrum, took home the trophy in 1949, 1951 and 1953.

This year the Genesis Open hosted one of the strongest fields in recent years of world-class PGA TOUR golfers. Reigning 2019 champion JB Holmes, who returned to defend his title, ended play with a tie for 51^st place. Other top players included Matt Kuchar (T2); Bryson DeChambeau and Rory Mcllroy (T5); Dustin Johnson (T10); Brooks Koepka (T43); and Jordan Spieth (T59). Tournament host, Tiger Woods, finished at 68. Among other golfers of color were Sung Kang T2; Hideki Matsuyama T5; Kyong-Hoon Lee T13; Harold Varner III T13; Rafael Cabera Bello T17; Xander Schauffele T23; Carlos Ortiz and Colin Morikawa T26; Si Woo Kim T37; Tony Finau T51; and Cameron Champ (missed cut).

Prior to kicking off the week’s tournament, 82-time PGA winner and Celebrity Captain Tiger Woods’s six-member golf team won this year’s prestigious Genesis Celebrity Cup, defeating Celebrity Captain Bubba Watson’s team by a score of 12-9.

Genesis Open’s Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption

Representing the advancement of diversity in the game of golf, the Genesis Open has each year awarded a play exemption to a golfer representing a minority background. While this exemption has been given annually for nearly a decade, it was renamed in 2017 to honor the memory of Charlie Sifford, one of the first African-Americans to compete in the Genesis Open.  Although not an official member of the PGA Tour, Sifford was the first African American to win a PGA official event, the 1969 Los Angeles Open.

“The Sifford family is tremendously honored for the recognition of our father’s accomplishments by the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Genesis Open,” Charles Sifford, Jr., said. “We are most certain he would beam with pride and gratitude for this momentous honor of the diversity exemption in his name. It (the renaming) is really special coming from Tiger, knowing the bond that developed between him and my father.”

The 2020 Charlie Sifford exemption recipient was Joseph Bramlett, recent PGA Tour member and future star on the PGA

Tour. It was the second time Bramlett had received the honor of this exemption—the first one was in 2011.

“I’m incredibly proud to honor my hero, Charlie Sifford, through this exemption into the Genesis Open,” tournament host, Tiger Woods, said. “His sacrifices as a pioneer for golf allowed me to play the game.”

• Past exemption recipients include:
  2019 -Tim O’Neal
• 2018 – Cameron Champ2017 – Kevin Hall
  2016 – J.J. Spaun
  2015 – Carlos Sainz, Jr
• 2014 – Harold Varner III
• 2013 – Jeremiah Wooding
• 2012 – Andy Walker
• 2011 – Joseph Bramlett
• 2010 – Joshua Wooding
• 2009 – Vincent Johnson

 Also of Interest:

• Tiger Woods’ first PGA Tour appearance was in the 1992 Nissan (aka Genesis) Open, when the 16-year-old Woods received a sponsor exemption. Winless after 12 tries, Woods has played this event 12 times—the most he has played any event without taking home the top trophy.
• Jack Nicklaus’ professional debut came in the 1962 Los Angeles Open where He finished 50th and earned $33.33.  Nicklaus never won the Nissan Open; his best finish was second place in 1978.

Genesis Returns for Fourth Consecutive Year as Title Sponsor

Luxury automotive brand Genesis partnered with the PGA TOUR, TGR Live and the TGR Foundation for the fourth consecutive year and provided a premium experience for this year’s golf fans and guests.