The Genesis Invitational returns to its iconic home at Riviera Country Club in 2026 after a one-year relocation to Torrey Pines due to wildfires in 2025. This marks the 100th playing of the event, formerly known as the Los Angeles Open, and serves as the second Signature Event of the PGA Tour season with a $20 million purse and no-cut format for the top 50 and ties (or within 10 shots of the lead) after 36 holes. Hosted by Tiger Woods, the tournament features a star-studded field of 72 players, including all of the world’s top 10, emphasizing precision tee-to-green play on one of the Tour’s most demanding non-major venues.
With recent winners like Hideki Matsuyama (2024 at Riviera) and Ludvig Åberg (2025 at Torrey Pines), expect a battle among elite ball-strikers.
Venue Location
The tournament is held at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, just outside Los Angeles and a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Designed by George C. Thomas Jr. in 1926, the course is nestled in a canyon below Sunset Boulevard and has hosted the event since 1973 (with the 2025 exception).
It’s renowned for its strategic design, with no water hazards but challenging barrancas (deep ditches) and elevation changes that demand course management.
Tee Time is set for
- Round 1 (Thursday): Gates open at 7:00 AM PST; first tee times around 7:15 AM PST (e.g., Aldrich Potgieter, Ryan Fox, Sam Stevens at 7:15 AM).
- Round 2 (Friday): Similar start times, around 7:00 AM PST.
- Rounds 3-4 (Weekend): Tee times begin around 7:00 AM PST, with leaders teeing off later.
- TV Coverage: ESPN+ for early rounds (7:30 AM-1 PM PST Thursday/Friday), Golf Channel (1-5 PM PST), and CBS for weekend afternoons.
The field plays all four rounds at Riviera, with a 36-hole cut.
Weather Conditions
Weather could impact play, especially early, due to recent heavy rain in Southern California (up to 2 inches Monday-Tuesday).
Here’s the forecast for Pacific Palisades (all times PST, highs/lows in °F):
| Day | High/Low | Precipitation Chance | Wind | Conditions |
| Thursday (Feb 19) | 56-59/43-46 | 80-91% (rain/showers, especially morning) | 10-16 mph (gusts to 24-25 mph) | Cool, wet; potential delays. |
| Friday (Feb 20) | 60/44 | 9% | 5-10 mph (gusts to 10 mph) | Mostly sunny, drier. |
| Saturday (Feb 21) | 63/47 | 4% (possible light early rain) | 5-8 mph | Sunny, mild. |
| Sunday (Feb 22) | 68/52 | 6% | 5 mph (gusts to 12 mph) | Sunny, warming up. |
Thursday’s rain may soften the course, favoring players who adapt to slower conditions, but winds could challenge approaches.
Course Conditions
Riviera is a par-71 layout stretching to 7,383 yards (extended by 61 yards for 2026, including a 24-yard addition to the par-4 18th).
Key features:
- Fairways/Rough: Tight Kikuyu grass fairways (37 acres) with 2-inch Kikuyu rough (no intermediate cut), punishing errant drives and creating unpredictable lies.
- Greens: Large Poa annua surfaces (7,500 sq ft average) running at 12.5 on the Stimpmeter—firm, fast, and undulating, emphasizing approach accuracy and short-game creativity.
- Bunkers/Hazards: 58 bunkers (fewest on Tour this year) and barrancas add strategy; no water, but doglegs and sloping fairways demand precision.
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- Difficulty: Ranked 19th toughest on Tour in 2024 (scoring avg. 70.104); hardest hole: par-4 12th (479 yards, +0.363 over par).
Recent rain (January/February) may green it up slightly, but it’s still a tee-to-green test favoring aggressive drivers with strong irons.
Tournament History
Dating back to 1926, this is the 100th edition, with a rich legacy including multiple wins by legends.
Most wins: Macdonald Smith and Lloyd Mangrum (4 each); Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Bubba Watson (3 each).
Recent winners:
| Year | Winner | Score | To Par | Margin | Runner-Up(s) |
| 2025 | Ludvig Åberg | 276 | -12 | 1 stroke | Maverick McNealy |
| 2024 | Hideki Matsuyama | 267 | -17 | 3 strokes | Will Zalatoris, Luke List |
| 2023 | Jon Rahm | 267 | -17 | 2 strokes | Max Homa |
| 2022 | Joaquin Niemann | 265 | -19 | 2 strokes | Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young |
| 2021 | Max Homa | 272 | -12 | Playoff | Tony Finau |
Notable: International winners have dominated recently (e.g., Adam Scott in 2005/2020, Mike Weir in 2003/2004).
The event honors Charlie Sifford with an exemption (Sahith Theegala in 2026).
Recent Player Forms
The 2026 season is young, but trends emerge from early events like Pebble Beach (won by Collin Morikawa) and Phoenix (won by Chris Gotterup).
Top performers (based on SG: Total, top-10s, and recent trends):
- Scottie Scheffler (World No. 1): 3 top-10s in 2026, including T4 at Pebble; 18-event top-10 streak; +1.8 mph ball speed gain.
Strong at Riviera (top-10 in 2022/2024).
- Collin Morikawa: Won Pebble; 2 top-10s; +1.9 mph ball speed; T2 at Riviera in 2022.
- Hideki Matsuyama: 2024 Riviera winner; strong form (T3 at Phoenix); top scrambler (78.57%).
- Chris Gotterup: 2 wins in 4 starts; rising odds.
- Rory McIlroy: T14 at Pebble (season debut); seeking first Genesis win.
- Tommy Fleetwood: FedExCup champ; consistent contender.
- Others Trending Up: Justin Rose (+3.1 mph ball speed), Sam Burns (+3.0 mph), Si Woo Kim (3 top-10s, strong approaches).
Players like Ludvig Åberg (defending champ) seek form rebound.
Player Matchups
Notable Round 1 tee times (PST, from Wave 1 unless noted):
- 7:15 AM: Aldrich Potgieter, Ryan Fox, Sam Stevens.
- 7:27 AM: Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler, Max Greyserman.
- 7:39 AM: Lucas Glover, Tony Finau, Max McGreevy.
- 10:51 AM: Garrick Higgo, Aaron Rai, Matt Fitzpatrick.
- 11:03 AM: Jason Day, Wyndham Clark, Marco Penge (Wave 2 example).
- Featured: Scottie Scheffler often pairs with elites; check official for updates due to weather.
Key head-to-heads: Morikawa vs. Matsuyama (recent winners), Scheffler vs. McIlroy (top-ranked duel).
