
Sunday didn’t begin kindly for Max Greyserman at the Genesis Invitational.
Greyserman walked off the 12th hole at Riviera Country Club having just carded a double bogey. It capped a frustrating stretch that included four bogeys and only two birdies, leaving his final round trending in the wrong direction. What had started as a hopeful Sunday quickly turned into a grind, with momentum nowhere to be found as he headed deeper into the back nine.
Standing 180 yards away on the par-3 14th, Greyserman flushed his tee shot, watched it bounce softly on the green, and then saw it disappear into the cup. Just like that, his difficult round was transformed by a moment of perfection.
A Career First Comes at the Perfect Time
Greyserman’s ace on No. 14 marked the first hole-in-one of his professional career, instantly becoming one of the defining highlights of the tournament’s final round.
The timing made it even sweeter. His shot came just moments after Tommy Fleetwood holed out from the fairway for eagle on the 15th, and just before Rory McIlroy buried a bunker shot for birdie. The sequence created a rare crescendo of roars echoing across Riviera, with fans reacting to three dramatic shots in rapid succession.
At the Genesis Invitational, there have been a total of 45 recorded hole-in-ones since 1983, with the most recent coming from Keegan Bradley in the final round of the 2025 event.
A Car and a Cause
Greyserman’s hole-in-one earned him a brand-new Genesis SUV, adding a tangible reward to an already memorable moment. Even more meaningful, it also triggered a $25,000 charitable donation, turning his perfect swing into something that benefits others beyond the ropes.
That donation came through the tournament’s Birdies for Good initiative, which directly supports California Rises – a charitable effort launched by Genesis, TGR Live, and the PGA Tour following the devastating 2025 Southern California wildfires. Since its creation, California Rises has generated more than $8 million in vehicle and financial donations, supporting organizations such as World Central Kitchen, the California Fire Foundation, the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, Salvation Army – Southern California Division, ThinkWatts Foundation, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
Under Birdies for Good, Genesis contributes $1,000 for every birdie or eagle made on holes 10, 14, 16, 17, and 18, while any hole-in-one on holes 14 or 16 unlocks the larger charitable gift. According to the PGA Tour, “The total tally reached $326,000 thanks to 301 birdies or eagles and one hole-in-one” at this year’s tournament.
The initiative is expanding even further in 2026, with Genesis committing an additional $1 million to help fund the next phase of California Rises, focusing on long-term recovery across Southern California. Those funds will benefit groups including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, reinforcing the tournament’s mission to pair elite competition with lasting impact.
Throughout the week at Riviera, fans have also been able to contribute directly via on-site QR code donations, along with proceeds from California Rises merchandise, with 100% of sales going toward recovery efforts. Greyserman’s hole-in-one became one of the most visible examples of how on-course excellence translated into off-course good, adding another meaningful layer to a moment that already stood out on a dramatic Sunday.
Greyserman Hits Hole-in-One; Sparks Charity Donation at Genesis Invitational