Namely, the 2026 Genesis Invitational is a premier PGA TOUR Signature Event. It’s hosted by Tiger Woods and held at the historic Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. This marks the tournament’s 100th playing, returning to Riviera after a one-year relocation to Torrey Pines in 2025 due to wildfires in the Palisades area. In sum, the field consists of 72 players (a limited, elite, invitation-only field). Including 18 of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, as well as many of the world’s best golfers.
Golf Betting Lines Headliners feature world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy (career Grand Slam champion). Additionally, Hideki Matsuyama (a recent champion) and Ludvig Åberg (the defending 2025 champion from the relocated event) are confirmed. Also, playing are Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay, and more. Tiger Woods hosts but is not competing.
Consider that the field draws from top FedExCup performers, OWGR rankings, sponsor exemptions, and special awards.
2026 Genesis Invitational
| When: | Thursday, February 19, through Sunday, February 22, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA |
| TV Coverage: | CBS, ESPN+, GOLF, and Paramount+. |
2026 Genesis Invitational Odds to Win
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +300 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1400 |
| Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | +2200 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +2200 |
| Russell Henley | +2500 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +2700 |
| Cameron Young | +2700 |
| Sam Burns | +3000 |
| Viktor Hovland | +3000 |
| Chris Gotterup | +3000 |
| Collin Morikawa | +3000 |
| All Other Players or higher | +3300 or higher |
As a Signature Event, the Genesis Invitational features elevated stakes early in the season, showcasing top talent on one of golf’s most iconic and challenging courses. Overall, this event blends prestige, star power, and tradition, with Riviera’s layout demanding precision, strategy, and strong all-around play. Thus, there will be plenty of betting traffic and viewership.
2026 Genesis Invitational Top Contenders
Scottie Scheffler
At the onset, Scheffler is the heavy favorite and World No. 1. His elite tee-to-green dominance, consistency in Signature Events, and strong recent form make him the player to beat. Golf bettors widely pick him as the top One-and-Done choice for his unmatched floor and win ceiling on tough courses like Riviera. He’s a reliable sports betting contender here despite having no prior wins at the venue.
Rory McIlroy
At the beginning of the week, McIlroy is the World No. 2 and a major threat following his career Grand Slam. His power and all-around game suit Riviera, though odds reflect the gap to Scheffler.
Xander Schauffele
Schauffele is a perennial contender in big fields with excellent iron play and short game. Consider that his strong history in California events positions him well.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood is an excellent ball-striker with precision that matches Riviera’s demands. Correlate that he is often undervalued but is a solid top-tier pick.
Hideki Matsuyama
Previously, Hideki Matsuyama was a champion at Riviera (2024 winner) and has multiple strong finishes here. His iron play and course familiarity make him a proven threat on this layout.
Cameron Young
Certainly, Young is a rising power with upside. He has an excellent history here, meeting Riviera’s precision-and-power course layout (accuracy off the tee, strong approaches, creativity around the greens).
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay has multiple top finishes at Riviera and strong ball-striking. In turn, he’s a consistent performer in Signature Events and big fields, known for elite ball-striking, iron play, and composure under pressure. Those are attributes that align perfectly with Riviera’s challenges.
Collin Morikawa
Specifically, Morikawa’s precision iron play fits perfectly, though odds vary slightly across different books. With his accuracy off the tee and consistency on demanding layouts like Riviera’s (tight fairways, strategic bunkering, Poa annua greens), Morikawa’s game aligns perfectly with the course.
Ludvig Åberg
Of course, Aberg is the defending champ from 2025 at Torrey Pines. He is a young talent with a winning pedigree, but Riviera-specific form is still developing.
2026 Genesis Invitational Free Pick
Scottie Scheffler brings an elite tee-to-green game to the Golf Betting Lines. Additionally, he brings unmatched consistency in Signature Events, and strong Riviera finishes make him the player to beat. Scheffler remains a justifiable short-priced favorite after a blistering final-round 63 (including three eagles) to finish T-4th at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
2026 Genesis Invitational Best Bets: Scottie Scheffler.