As a way of promoting diversity in golf, a Genesis Invitational exemption was granted to a minority golfer since 2009. The Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption was created in 2017 to honor Sifford, who broke the PGA Tour’s color barrier.
Tiger Woods, the tournament host, announced Monday morning that Marcus Byrd would be exempt from the upcoming event at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, February 16-19.
Woods released that Marcus has displayed resilience and perseverance while pursuing a professional playing career. These are the qualities that reminds me of Charlie’s journey. I am looking forward to Marcus competing at Riviera.”
Byrd was a former star at Middle Tennessee State, and the 2019 Conference USA Golfer-of-the Year. He currently plays on the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour. In November, he was the Farmers Insurance Fall Series Champion. After his debut at the 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship, Byrd will make the Genesis Invitational his second career start on PGA Tour.
Byrd said, “It’s an honor to be awarded the Charlie Sifford Memorial Excemption into the 2023 Genesis Invitational.” It’s an honor to be part of the tournament’s rich history. I can’t wait to play at Riviera and to represent Mr. Sifford.
The following are former recipients of the Charlie Sifford Memorial Excemption:
- Vincent Johnson (2009)
- Joshua Wooding (2010)
- Joseph Bramlett (2011, 2020)
- Andy Walker (2012)
- Jeremiah Wooding (2013)
- Harold Varner III (2014)
- Carlos Sainz, Jr. (2015)
- J.J. Spaun (2016)
- Kevin Hall (2017)
- Cameron Champ (2018)
- Tim O’Neal (2019)
- Willie Mack III (2021)
- Aaron Beverly (2022).
