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San Diego hoping to make money from 2021 U.S. Open

Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th green after sinking a putt for a birdie to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate during the final round of the U.S. Open at San Diego-owned Torrey Pines in 2008.
Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th green after sinking a putt for a birdie to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate during the final round of the U.S. Open at San Diego-owned Torrey Pines in 2008.
(Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)
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Now that the San Diego City Council has unanimously approved bringing the U.S. Open back to Torrey Pines in 2021, officials will focus on making the tournament profitable.

“This represents a tremendous opportunity for our great city,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said.

The last time the Open came to San Diego, in 2008, the city received well over $3 million in rent, sales tax and other revenues, according to figures discussed at a council meeting last Thursday.

“The city’s revenue generation from the [2021] event should be even more positive,” independent budget analyst Andrea Tevlin told council members.

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The USGA will pay $2.5 million in rent — up from $500,000 in 2008 — and give the city 20% of the corporate hospitality sales. There will, however, be as much as $500,000 in costs for improving the facilities.

The 2008 Open featured an extra day of golf with Tiger Woods facing Rocco Mediate in a historic playoff.

“We hope that the challenge of Torrey South will make for another dramatic finish and many more visitors,” Faulconer said.

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