As the Genesis Invitational 2025 kicks off, much of the conversation has centered around the unexpected venue change. Traditionally held at Riviera Country Club, the tournament was relocated to Torrey Pines due to the wildfires in Los Angeles—a decision that has sparked interest in how the course will be set up compared to the recently played Farmers Insurance Open.
With PGA Tour stars like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas ready to take on Torrey Pines’ South Course, fans are eager to see how the signature event unfolds. Will course adjustments make the tournament more difficult, or will it feel like an extension of the Farmers Insurance Open?
🏌️ What to Expect from Torrey Pines at the Genesis Invitational
A Different Test from the Farmers Insurance Open
Torrey Pines is no stranger to elite golf, having hosted major championships, including the 2021 U.S. Open, where Jon Rahm won in dramatic fashion. However, there are notable differences between how the Farmers Insurance Open sets up the course and how the Genesis Invitational will be played.
- Only the South Course: Unlike the Farmers, where players compete on both the North and South Courses, this tournament will exclusively use the South Course, which is considerably tougher.
- U.S. Open-Level Setup? With majors already part of Torrey Pines’ legacy, tournament officials could choose to make conditions even firmer, faster, and more punishing than the Farmers.
- Signature Event Intensity: With a $20 million purse and elite players in the field, expect the course to be set up to truly test the world’s best.
The Genesis Invitational has a history of dramatic finishes, and moving it to Torrey Pines South Course could create an even more thrilling climax.
🎤 Max Homa on the Best PGA Tour Venues
While Torrey Pines will take center stage this week, Max Homa recently spoke about what makes a great tournament venue. TPC Scottsdale and TPC Sawgrass stood out to him as the best-designed courses for maximizing excitement.
“I look at it kind of like a movie where it peaks at the right time,” Homa explained.
“A lot of talk about TPC Scottsdale is the 16th hole, and it is a really fun, unique hole. You play there without the grandstands, and it’s kind of just whatever. But where it fits into the tournament and the round of golf, it is so ideal.”
Homa highlighted how certain golf courses build up drama perfectly, making for a memorable Sunday finish.
“I think 15 through 18 is the best stretch of four to finish we have. So it’s a golf course I wouldn’t really probably write home about, but for the golf tournament, I think it’s our best—that and TPC Sawgrass are our best tournament golf courses.”
🐅 Tiger Woods’ Complicated History with TPC Sawgrass
While TPC Sawgrass is considered one of the best tournament venues in golf, even Tiger Woods struggled to conquer it. Despite winning the Players Championship twice, he admitted in 2018 that he never fully figured out how to master the course.
“No, no, it was 12 years between wins here, and just looking at my record, I didn’t play this place well. I struggled with it,” Woods said.
“You have to play well here. There’s no way of faking it around this golf course.”
Woods only reached double figures under par on three occasions at Sawgrass, yet still managed five top-10 finishes—proving that even the best can struggle on certain courses.
⛳ Will Torrey Pines Create Another Classic?
With Genesis Invitational moving to Torrey Pines, golf fans are wondering how the course setup will compare to past tournaments.
- Will it be softened to produce lower scores?
- Will it be set up like a major championship to challenge the best?
- Will the leaderboard feature familiar names or produce surprises?
One thing is for sure: Torrey Pines has the potential to deliver another unforgettable PGA Tour event.