Woods lends hand to L.A. wildfire victims

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Golf superstar Tiger Woods has pledged support for communities devastated by the wildfires that killed at least 24 people and changed the face of Los Angeles over the past week.

The 15-time major champion, who was born in Cypress, California, 25 miles south of Los Angeles, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that he would soon give details of his foundation’s charitable efforts to help the affected communities.

“The devastation that is ongoing with the LA fires is such a tragedy and being from California, it hits home,” Woods said. “My heart is with those who have suffered unimaginable loss.”

“Thank you to the incredible heroes that are the first responders helping to contain and save the community of Los Angeles.”

Firefighters still battling to contain the massive Palisades and Eaton fires were bracing for possible flare ups or new blazes as forecasters predicted “particularly dangerous” Santa Ana winds on Tuesday.

Flames that razed the Pacific Palisades came uncomfortably close to The Riviera Country Club, which is slated to host the 2028 Olympic golf tournament.

In 1992, the Los Angeles Open at Riviera was the site of a teenage Woods’s first PGA Tour event. Although he has never won there, Woods hosts the Genesis Invitational at the historic course, which this year is scheduled from 13 to 16 February.

US media reported that the PGA Tour had sent a memo to players last week saying it is monitoring the fires, but it was premature to discuss the impact on the tournament.

“Although the Riviera Country Club has not been directly affected by the fires, our immediate concern is the health and welfare of those in the affected communities, including all our members who have ties to Southern California,” the Tour said.

The tournament announced on Monday that it had joined apparel manufacturer Fanatics’ fund-raising sale of apparel, with fans able to purchase Fanatics’ “LA Strong” shirts with the Genesis Invitational logo.

The shirts can be purchased online with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

US golfer Sahith Theegala, who was born in suburban Orange, California, has also pledged to donate to relief efforts. After saying he would donate $100 per birdie and $250 per eagle at the Sony Open that concluded in Hawaii on Sunday, Theegala said he would continue that effort through the upcoming weeks.

“Any little bit helps during this devastating time,” Theegala said.