SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The 2025 Genesis Invitational looks a lot different than in years past. For the first time in the more than 90 years of the tournament's history, it was held in La Jolla.
The rain didn't stop the biggest golf fans from making their way to the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course. From every corner of the region and from nearly every generation, the sentiment was relatively the same: They all came out for the love of the game.
"It's a little cold, but overall, being at Torrey Pines is a beautiful place," says Hercules Menjivar, a volunteer from the Los Angeles area. "It's amazing, just the scenery. I've never seen a golf course as beautiful as this one, so I'm excited to be here.”
WATCH: Tournament director Mike Antolini musters up "positive vibes" as he predicts a perfectly sunny day two of the tourney. Plus, he provides insight on the mad scramble to shift locations following the LA wildfires.
For fans and volunteers like Menjivar, the relocation two hours south of Riviera Country Club didn't stop people from coming out.
"When I first signed up to volunteer, it was gonna happen in Los Angeles. But when they told us it was gonna be in San Diego, I was still excited to come down," he says.
He told ABC 10News he still has a drive in the rain back home, but he's OK with it.
"It's a drive, but I'm excited. It's an experience -- I've never done it before, but meeting new people and it's a really nice community to come out to."
It’s also not the ideal weather we’re used to having for this stretch of the West Coast swing of the PGA Tour, and golf fans like Aaron Lucio know that much.
"I mean, I haven't seen how it's normally played, but you can't get any better than this course. Usually on a sunny day, but even when it's raining, it's still nice.”
And the rain didn’t stop other fans from seeing their favorite golfers, despite a big needle mover missing.
"We wanted to see Tiger," says Mary Bailey, who made the drive down with her sister, Dorothy Tiola.
But local fans like Melissa Botello and her dad, Sunny, came prepared.
"Binoculars, camera, cell phone, he's got it all," says Melissa. "He's the true fan."
And many fans tell me they’ll be back, no matter the conditions.
"Sometimes a little rain is not gonna stop you. It didn't hurt me, and I'm coming back Saturday," says Sunny. "They say the weather is gonna be better, which is good. But if not, we're ready for it."