The PGA Tour returns to one of its most iconic venues as The Genesis Invitational heads back home to The Riviera Country Club. After last year’s wildfire-forced relocation to Torrey Pines, the world’s best are once again tackling the compact, strategic masterpiece in Pacific Palisades.
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PGA Tour Genesis Invitational Betting Tips
Riviera Country Club, Thursday 19th - 22nd February
Top Picks
Hideki Matsuyama ($25)
While Ludvig Åberg arrives as defending champion of the event, it was Matsuyama who most recently conquered Riviera itself. His stunning closing 62 in 2024 was the lowest final-round score ever by a Genesis winner at this venue, and it capped one of the most impressive comeback performances in tournament history. Riviera clearly fits his eye, with five top-11 finishes here highlighting both comfort and consistency. Matsuyama also arrives in outstanding form, having contended repeatedly over the past month. His elite iron play is tailor-made for Riviera’s small, firm targets, and if the putter cooperates, he has every tool needed to win again.
Tommy Fleetwood ($20)
Fleetwood looks ready to translate last season’s FedExCup dominance into a Signature Event breakthrough in 2026. His personal-best T4 at Pebble Beach confirmed that his rhythm remains intact, marking his fourth top-four finish worldwide in recent months. Riviera demands creativity, control and a strong long-iron game, all hallmarks of Fleetwood’s style. He posted a personal-best T10 here in 2024, and with confidence building, this feels like the type of classical layout where he can finally capture a marquee PGA Tour victory.
Value Picks
Justin Rose ($46)
Rose continues to defy age with intelligent course management and elite iron control. A former winner this season and currently sitting inside the world’s top rankings, Rose understands how to navigate Riviera’s angles and punishing Kikuyu rough. His patience suits this venue, and he’s shown repeatedly that he can contend in Signature fields. If the putter warms up, he has the pedigree to make a serious push.
Adam Scott ($56)
Scott’s résumé at Riviera is rock solid, including a Genesis victory in 2020 and years of strong performances on the West Coast. Few players strike the ball as purely as Scott when he’s dialed in, and Riviera’s demand for precise positioning off the tee plays into his strengths. As a past champion on sponsor exemption, he arrives motivated and comfortable on a course that rewards experience and discipline.
The Field
The Genesis Invitational once again brings together one of the deepest fields of the season. Scottie Scheffler extends his remarkable streak of top-10 finishes, Rory McIlroy returns after a solid Pebble Beach showing, and Ludvig Åberg looks to defend his event title, albeit on a different course than last year. Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Young and Patrick Cantlay add further weight to a field that feels closer to a major than a standard Tour stop.
This Signature Event features 72 players who earned their spots through 2025 FedExCup positioning or the Aon Swing 5. The stakes are high, with 700 FedExCup points available and early-season positioning beginning to take shape. Every elite name understands that Riviera is a legacy venue. Winning here matters.
Sponsor exemptions add additional intrigue. Adam Scott and Max Homa return as past champions, while Sahith Theegala receives the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption from tournament host Tiger Woods. The field is balanced, competitive and filled with legitimate contenders.
The Course
The Riviera Country Club is a par 71 measuring 7,384 yards, but its true defence lies in nuance rather than length. The Kikuyu rough grabs the clubface, the fairways demand precise placement, and the small, sloping greens reward only the highest-quality approaches. Positioning off the tee is paramount. Miss on the wrong side and recovery becomes a guessing game.
The course tests every aspect of a player’s skillset. Long irons into elevated greens, delicate touch from tightly mown surrounds and the ability to manage uneven lies are essential. Riviera does not favor one-dimensional bombers. It favors thinkers.
Historically, winning scores hover around the mid-to-high teens under par, depending on conditions. Riviera can yield birdies, but it also punishes impatience. The champion will be the player who balances aggression with discipline and handles pressure on one of the most revered stages in the sport.
