Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

'Absolutely Devastating': Rory McIlroy on Returning to Riviera After Last Year’s Tragedy

Originally posted on DailyClubGolf | By Abhishek Sharma | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 12:20 PM ET

The Riviera Country Club witnessed one of the deadliest wildfires of the last decade in 2025, and Rory McIlroy cannot even imagine what went through the ones who experienced it.

The devastating 2025 California wildfires put a question mark on the Riviera Country Club’s ability to host the Genesis Invitational in future. However, the managing authorities eventually ensured that the tournament was hosted.

During the pre-event press conference, Rory McIlroy expressed his thoughts about the dreaded incident that affected thousands. “Obviously what happened here a year ago was absolutely devastating. I know people that lost their homes and places of work and offices,” said the 36-year-old.

He added, “They went and just had a drive around parts of the Palisades to see the real devastation and it’s unimaginable if you had to go through that.”

Just a mile from the historic Riviera Country Club, thousands of homes and lives were lost, including the lives of residents. The 2025 Pacific Palisades fire is a generational disaster. For many in the field, the return is a painful reminder of the devastation that occurred as the golf world looked on.

Standing on the course for the first time since the incident, McIlroy saw the community still healing from terrible wildfires that forced the event to relocate to Torrey Pines in 2025. Now, the event’s return to the Riviera Country Club will also help the locality recover the affects of the wildfire.

Genesis Invitational 2026 Will Be More Than Just a Golf Tournament

After last year’s emergency move to Torrey Pines, the Genesis Invitational golf will be played in its rightful home this year, and fans have flooded back to the Palisades. This can be good news for the wildfire affected ones, as the PGA Tour supports local relief efforts.

McIlroy mentioned that members of his team, such as Sean and Niall, had the chance to drive to Palisades and see the “real devastation” firsthand. Because of the awareness, the event has become more than just a Signature Event; it has become an avenue to help rejuvenate the community.

This emotional return mirrors Tiger Woods’ candid reflections on the tragedy earlier this week. Woods, stated that it was “devastating” to see people lose things of value that they can never get back, and this reinforces the unified support of the tour for the victims.

But leaving all of that aside, who do you think will life the Genesis Invitational trophy this year?

This article first appeared on DailyClubGolf and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: