The 2023 Genesis Invitational, sponsored by Genesis as the title sponsor, kicked off at the Riviera Country Club in California on the 16th (Thursday) and will run until the 19th (Sunday).
In the 2023 Genesis Invitational, a total of 132 world-class players will compete, including 19 of the top 20 ranked players in the world, such as Scottie Scheffler (world ranking #1), Rory McIlroy (world ranking #2), and Jon Rahm (world ranking #3).
Tiger Woods will return to the tour for the first time in seven months during this event, marking his first tournament of the PGA Tour 2022-2023 season.
Among the Korean participants, Kim Young-soo, who was invited as the winner of the KPGA (Korea Professional Golf Association) Korean Tour 2022 Genesis Championship, along with Im Sung-jae, Kim Joo-hyung, and Kim Si-woo, who are active on the PGA Tour, will compete.
Player Kim Young-soo expressed his gratitude, saying, “I thank Genesis for their efforts to promote men’s professional golf, and I am honored to compete on the PGA Tour in the United States. I will do my best on each shot so that I have no regrets.”
This year, the prize money has significantly increased compared to last year. The total prize pool has risen to $20 million, with the winner receiving $3.6 million. In addition to this prize money, the winner will also receive a Genesis GV70 electrified model as a bonus.
The 2023 Genesis Invitational is the first golf tournament sponsored by Genesis to offer hole-in-one prizes for player-caddy combinations at two holes.
In each round, a GV70 electrified model will be awarded to both the first player and caddy who achieve a hole-in-one on the 14th hole, while the first player to record a hole-in-one on the 16th hole will receive a G80 electrified model, and the caddy will receive a GV60.
Additionally, Genesis plans to ensure support and care for caddies by operating a caddy lounge with barber and physical therapy services during the tournament.
Genesis will assist in showcasing vehicles and ensuring safe transportation for the players by supporting a total of 260 vehicles across its lineup, including the GV60, GV70 electrified models, and the G80 electrified model.
Including the GV70 electrified model, which was first introduced to the U.S. market at the LA Auto Show last year, a total of 19 vehicles will be displayed at major venues such as the ‘Genesis Skybox’ and ‘Genesis Lounge’ to highlight their excellent marketability to gallery attendees and television viewers across America.
Song Min-kyu, head of Genesis Business Division, stated, “I am delighted to celebrate our seventh year as the title sponsor of the Genesis Invitational. I hope this tournament, featuring world-class athletes, becomes a festival that players, caddies, and fans can enjoy together. Moving forward, Genesis will continue our genuine support through ‘bold dedication’ not only in golf but also in supporting the community.”
Meanwhile, ahead of the tournament’s opening on the 15th (local time), Genesis announced a $1 million sponsorship over five years to Tiger Woods’ TGR Foundation for the development of local youth education. Part of this funding will be utilized to run educational programs involving designers from the Genesis Design Studio.
Since its sponsorship of the Genesis Invitational starting in 2017, Genesis has expanded brand experiences through various golf sponsorships. Last month, they supported Genesis vehicles at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship through a partnership with the DP World Tour, and they plan to sponsor the Genesis Scottish Open and Genesis Championship in July and October this year, respectively, as title sponsors. This initiative aims to assist domestic players in advancing globally and to continue playing a supportive role in the development of men’s professional golf.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr