Los Angeles Open
File:Los Angeles Open logo.png | |
Tournament information | |
---|---|
Location | Pacific Palisades, California |
Established | 1926, 99 years ago[1] |
Course(s) | Riviera Country Club |
Par | 71 |
Length | 7,322 yards (6,695 m)[2][3] |
Organized by | Tiger Woods Foundation |
Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
Format | Stroke play |
Prize fund | $7.0 million |
Month played | February |
Tournament record score | |
Aggregate | 264 Lanny Wadkins (1985) |
To par | −20 as above |
Current champion | |
Dustin Johnson |
The Los Angeles Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour in southern California, first played 99 years ago in 1926.[1] Now the Genesis Open, previous names include Northern Trust Open and Nissan Open. Played annually in February at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, it is often the concluding event of the tour's "West Coast Swing" early in the calendar year, before the tour moves east to Florida.
The tournament has been held at Riviera on a near-continuous basis since 1973. South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Group, through its Genesis Motors subsidiary, takes over sponsorship in 2017, after nine seasons from Northern Trust Corporation, based in Chicago, following a 21-year sponsorship by Nissan Motors. Entertainer Glen Campbell was the celebrity host of the Los Angeles Open from 1971 to 1983.
Tournament sites
Listed by most recent
Times hosted |
Venue | Location | Years |
---|---|---|---|
54 | Riviera Country Club | Pacific Palisades |
1929–30, 1941, 1945–53, 1973–82, 1984–97, 1999–2017 |
1 | Valencia Country Club | Valencia | 1998 |
17 | Rancho Park Golf Course | Los Angeles | 1956–67, 1969–72, 1983 |
1 | Brookside Golf Course | Pasadena | 1968 |
1 | Inglewood Country Club | Inglewood | 1955 |
1 | Fox Hills Country Club | Culver City | 1954 |
4 | Wilshire Country Club | Los Angeles | 1928, 1931, 1933, 1944 |
2 | Hillcrest Country Club | Los Angeles | 1932, 1942 |
5 | Los Angeles Country Club | Los Angeles | 1926, 1934–36, 1940 |
3 | Griffith Park | Los Angeles | 1937–39 |
1 | El Caballero Country Club | Tarzana | 1927 |
- Not held in 1943
History
Prior to World War II, the event led a nomadic existence in southern California, moving from course to course. The inaugural event 99 years ago in 1926 was played at Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles;[4] in 1927 the event moved to El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana for the only time.[5] In 1928, the event moved again to Wilshire Country Club, also in Los Angeles, and 1929 and 1930 saw the event's first foray to the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades before returning again to Los Angeles for the next decade. From 1931–33, the event alternated between Wilshire CC and Hillcrest Country Club, before returning to Los Angeles CC from 1934–36. From 1937–39, the event was played at Griffith Park before returning to Los Angeles CC in 1940. Babe Zaharias played in the 1938 event, being the first woman to play in a professional golf tournament for men.
In 1941, the event returned to Riviera CC and in 1942 was played again at Hillcrest CC before World War II intervened.
The event started up again in 1944 at Wilshire CC before spending the next nine years (1945–53) at Riviera CC, which also hosted the U.S. Open in June 1948, won by Ben Hogan in a record score. In 1954, the event was played at Fox Hills Country Club (now in Culver City) and in 1955 moved to Inglewood Country Club. From 1956–72, the event returned to Los Angeles at Rancho Park Golf Course, with the exception of 1968, which was at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena, adjacent to the Rose Bowl.[6]
The L.A. Open was traditionally the first event of the season, played in early January; it moved to the latter half of February in 1974. The year before, it began its current relationship with Riviera CC. The tournament has only twice been played at other courses since: Rancho Park Golf Course in 1983, while Riviera prepared to host the PGA Championship, and Valencia Country Club in 1998, while Riviera prepared to host the U.S. Senior Open. The event remained at Riviera in 1995, despite Riviera hosting the PGA Championship that year,[7] and will also remain in 2017, when the course hosts the U.S. Amateur.
In 1992, the Nissan Los Angeles Open at Riviera CC was the site of Tiger Woods' first PGA Tour event as an amateur player, as a 16-year-old high school sophomore. Neither Woods nor Jack Nicklaus have won the event; Woods lost in a playoff in 1998 (at Valencia) and was again a runner-up the next year at Riviera, while Nicklaus' best finish was two strokes back in solo second in 1978.
The 2001 event was only the second time that a six-player playoff was needed in PGA Tour history to determine the tournament winner. Robert Allenby won the playoff ahead of Toshi Izawa, Brandel Chamblee, Bob Tway, Jeff Sluman, and Dennis Paulson.[8]
In 2005, the tournament was shortened by 36 holes due to rain. Adam Scott defeated Chad Campbell on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff on a Monday. Due to the event's length, this win is counted as unofficial for Scott.
In 2007, Rich Beem made a hole-in-one at the 14th hole on Saturday to win a new red Altima coupe, which he immediately ascended, embraced, and sat atop of in triumph.[9] The sequence was later made into a Nissan commercial. (video) Beem credited Peter Jacobsen for inspiring his reaction; Jacobsen aced the same hole thirteen years earlier in 1994 then hopped into the nearby 300ZX convertible and pretended to drive it.[10][11][12][13]
In September 2007, it was originally announced that Bearing Point, a consulting firm based in McLean Virginia, would become the new title sponsor of the tournament. However, on October 15, 2007, Northern Trust became the title sponsor beginning in February 2008.
The five-year agreement, which extended through the 2012 event, was announced October 15, 2007, by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and William A. Osborn, Chairman and CEO of Northern Trust Corporation.[14] The tournament became known as the Northern Trust Open, and the new partnership marks the beginning of a process of transformation for this high-profile tournament. As part of the initial move to enhance the tournament, the Northern Trust Open increased its purse to $6.2 million in 2008, an increase of $1 million over 2007. Additionally, the tournament pro-am went from four amateurs to three per group. After the initial 5-year agreement, it was extended 4 years to cover Northern Trust's partnership through the 2016 event.
Phil Mickelson won the 2008 tournament and successfully defended the title in 2009 with a 1-stroke victory over Steve Stricker. In 2010, Stricker came back to win the Northern Trust Open and secure his ranking of the number two player in the world. In 2016, Bubba Watson won the tournament for a second time in three years, seeing off Adam Scott and Jason Kokrak to win by one shot with a 15-under-par total.[15]
Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption
In 2009, the tournament created an exemption for a player who represents the advancement of diversity in golf. The exemption is called the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption, in honor of pioneering black golfer and 1969 tournament winner Charlie Sifford.[16][17] While most of the recipients have been of African-American descent, the 2015 exemption went to PGA Tour rookie Carlos Sainz, Jr., of Filipino and Bolivian descent;[18] and the 2016 recipient, J. J. Spaun, is also of Filipino descent.[19]
Year | Player | Result |
---|---|---|
2009 | Vincent Johnson[16] | Cut |
2010 | Joshua Wooding | Cut |
2011 | Joseph Bramlett | Cut |
2012 | Andy Walker | Cut |
2013 | Jeremiah Wooding | T42 |
2014 | Harold Varner III | T70 |
2015 | Carlos Sainz, Jr.[18] | Cut |
2016 | J. J. Spaun[19] | Cut |
2017 | Kevin Hall[17] | Cut |
2016 course layout
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yards | 503 | 471 | 434 | 236 | 434 | 199 | 408 | 433 | 458 | 3,576 | 315 | 583 | 479 | 459 | 192 | 487 | 166 | 590 | 475 | 3,746 | 7,322 |
Par | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 71 |
Winners
*Rain-shortened to 54 holes
^Rain-shortened to 36 holes; unofficial win
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Main sources[62][63][64]
Multiple winners
Sixteen men have won this tournament more than once through 2016.
- 4 wins
- Macdonald Smith: 1928, 1929, 1932, 1934
- Lloyd Mangrum: 1949, 1951, 1953, 1956
- 3 wins
- Ben Hogan: 1942, 1947, 1948 - (Hogan also won the 1948 U.S. Open, played at Riviera)
- Arnold Palmer: 1963, 1966, 1967
- 2 wins
- Harry Cooper: 1926, 1937
- Sam Snead: 1945, 1950
- Paul Harney: 1964, 1965
- Billy Casper: 1968, 1970
- Tom Watson: 1980, 1982
- Gil Morgan: 1978, 1983
- Lanny Wadkins: 1979, 1985
- Fred Couples: 1990, 1992
- Corey Pavin: 1994, 1995
- Mike Weir: 2003, 2004
- Phil Mickelson: 2008, 2009
- Bubba Watson: 2014, 2016
References
- ^ a b Shaffer, George (January 11, 1926). "Harry Cooper, 21, wins $10,000 L.A. golf open". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 27.
- ^ a b "Northern Trust Open Course". PGA Tour. 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "2016 PGA Hole Statistics - Northern Trust Open". ESPN. February 21, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ Shaffer, George (January 10, 1926). "Kirkwood stars at L.A." Chicago Sunday Tribune. p. 1, sec. 2.
- ^ Shaffer, George (January 9, 1927). "Four cards of 141 lead in Los Angeles Open golf meet". Chicago Sunday Tribune. p. 1, sec. 2.
- ^ "Casper's 274 wins LA Open golf". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 29, 1968. p. 23.
- ^ "Pavin repeats in Nissan". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Associated Press. February 27, 1995. p. D-2.
- ^ Kelley, Brent. "Largest Sudden-Death Playoffs". About.com. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- ^ "Beem drives home a winner, Lefty stalls". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 18, 2007. p. D2.
- ^ "Top 10 aces of all-time on the PGA Tour". You Tube. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ "An Interview with Rich Beem" (PDF). Sports Transcripts.com. February 17, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ "Rich Beem - profile". PGA Tour. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ "Beem may be '1' to watch again". Los Angeles Times. February 18, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ "Northern Trust Press Release". Retrieved November 12, 2007.
- ^ Inglis, Martin (February 22, 2016). "Bubba Watson still 'mad' despite win". bunkered.
- ^ a b "Oregon State Beavers Graduate Receives the First Sifford Exemption". ESPN. February 2, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
- ^ a b Gray, Will (February 7, 2017). "Hall receives Sifford exemption into Genesis Open". Golf Channel.
- ^ a b "Sainz earns 2015 Northern Trust exemption". PGA Tour. January 19, 2015.
- ^ a b "J.J. Spaun earns 2016 Northern Trust Open Exemption". PGA Tour. January 18, 2016.
- ^ "Ford Wins LA Open". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Canada. Associated Press. January 8, 1957. p. 9. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ "Mangrum Sets Course Mark In Los Angeles Tournament". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Canada. Associated Press. January 10, 1956. p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ "Gene Littler Winner of Los Angeles Golf". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. January 10, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
- ^ "Fred Wampler Wins Los Angeles Open". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Associated Press. January 12, 1954. p. 8. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Lloyd Mangrum Winner In Los Angeles Open". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Associated Press. January 6, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Bolt Cops L.A. Open Playoff". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Associated Press. January 9, 1952. p. 5. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Mangrun Wins Golf Tourney At Los Angeles". The Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. United Press. January 9, 1951. p. 8. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Snead Victor in Golf Playoff; He Praises Hogan". The Owosso Argus-Press. Owosso, Michigan. Associated Press. January 19, 1950. p. 16. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Mangrum Wins First 1949 Event". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. United Press. January 11, 1949. p. 14. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Ben Hogan Captures $10,000 Los Angeles Open Meet". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Associated Press. January 6, 1948. p. 6. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Hogan Worries Over Shoulder". Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. January 7, 1947. p. 3. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ^ "Lord Byron Nelson Wins Los Angeles Open the First Time". The Owosso Argus-Press. Owosso, Michigan. Associated Press. January 8, 1946. p. 6. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Sam Snead with 283 Wins Los Angeles Open". The Florence Times. Florence, Alabama. Associated Press. January 9, 1945. p. 5. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Jug McSpaden Adds Another Golf Prize". The Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Associated Press. January 11, 1944. p. 4. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Hogan Is Favorite In Los Angeles Open". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. United Press. January 9, 1942. p. 32. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Wee Ben Hogan's Deadly Putter Cuts Down Jimmy Thomson to Capture Play-Off Of Los Angeles Open Meet". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Associated Press. January 14, 1942. p. 5. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Bulla Wins Los Angeles Open Tourney". Toledo Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press. January 7, 1941. p. 14. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Lawson Little Wins Tourney". The Owosso Argus-Press. Owosso, Michigan. Associated Press. January 9, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Jimmy Demaret Takes Top Prize Los Angeles Open". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Lewiston, Maine. Associated Press. January 7, 1939. p. 9. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Jimmy Thomson Wins In Open Golf Tourney". The Gazette. Montreal, Canada. Associated Press. January 11, 1938. p. 11. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Cooper Captures Los Angeles Open". The Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Associated Press. January 12, 1937. p. 7. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Hines Captures Los Angeles Open". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Associated Press. January 13, 1936. p. 6. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Ghezzi Wins Golf Title". The Gazette. Montreal, Canada. January 16, 1935. p. 16. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ In 1935, Vic Ghezzi and Johnny Revolta split first and second place money after both finished at 285, Ghezzi won the 18-hole playoff
- ^ "Mac Smith wins in Los Angeles Open". Montreal Gazette. Associated Press. January 8, 1934. p. 11.
- ^ "Mac Smith's 280 wins golf title at Los Angeles". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 9, 1934. p. 17.
- ^ "Wood wins 3d straight coast tourney". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 10, 1933. p. 19.
- ^ "Another rich winter golf prize for Wood". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. January 10, 1933. p. 12.
- ^ "Par surrenders to Mac Smith in coast tourney". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 11, 1932. p. 21.
- ^ "Mac Smith Wins Los Angeles Open; Never Loses Lead". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. United Press. January 10, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Ed Dudley's 285 wins $10,000 Open at Los Angeles". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 13, 1931. p. 25.
- ^ "Dudley's Finish Wins Golf Title L' Angeles Open". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. United Press. January 13, 1931. p. 4. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Denny Shute's 296 is best in coast tourney". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 15, 1928. p. 21.
- ^ Wagoner, Ronald W. (January 15, 1930). "Denny Shute wins rich Los Angeles Open tourney". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. p. 12.
- ^ "Mac Smith's 285 wins $10,000 golf meet". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 14, 1929. p. 25.
- ^ "MacDonald Smith Again Wins Los Angeles Open". The Miami Daily News. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. January 14, 1929. p. 11. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ "Mac Smith's 284 wins golf meet at Los Angeles". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. January 9, 1928. p. 27.
- ^ "Mac Smith Is Los Angeles Open Winner". The Miami Daily News. Miami, Florida. Associated Press. January 9, 1928. p. 9. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
- ^ Shaffer, George (January 10, 1927). "Cruickshank wins coast golf tourney". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 19.
- ^ "Cruickshank Wins Prize". Reno Evening Gazette. Reno, Nevada. Associated Press. January 10, 1927. p. 1.
- ^ Shaffer, George (January 11, 1926). "Harry Cooper, 21, wins $10,000 L.A. golf Open". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 27.
- ^ "Texas Golfer Wins Tourney". Nevada State Journal. Reno, Nevada. Associated Press. January 11, 1926. p. 2.
- ^ Northern Trust Open – Past Champions – at www.northerntrustopen.com
- ^ Northern Trust Open – Winners - at golfobserver.com (1970+)
- ^ Johnson, Sal; Seanor, Dave, eds. (2009). The USA Today Golfers Encyclopedia. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-302-8. (for 1960-69)