The Genesis Invitational 2026

The Genesis Invitational returns to Riviera Country Club, restoring one of golf’s most revered venues to its rightful place on the PGA Tour calendar. Nestled in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Riviera is a classical test in the truest sense—strategic rather than overpowering, nuanced rather than ornate. A par 71 stretching just over 7,300 yards, the George C. Thomas Jr. design is defined by its kikuyu fairways, poa annua greens, and a routing that demands thoughtful shot-making. The famous par-4 10th, drivable yet perilous, tempts players into risk-reward decisions late on Sunday, while the par-3 6th—with its bunker positioned in the center of the green—remains one of the most distinctive one-shotters in championship golf. Riviera does not merely reward distance; it prizes trajectory control, scrambling imagination, and patience.

The course’s architectural subtlety is often what separates contenders from the field. Fairways are canted and firm, repelling slightly offline drives into thick rough, and the small, tilted greens place a premium on precise iron play. Riviera has long been known as a “ball-striker’s course,” and its roll of champions—ranging from Ben Hogan, who won here twice and lent the venue the nickname “Hogan’s Alley,” to modern greats—reflects that pedigree. Players must navigate elevation changes, swirling coastal breezes, and a closing stretch that can quickly unravel a round. It is a venue that exposes weakness but rewards conviction.

The tournament’s absence from Riviera last year was the result of severe wildfires in the Los Angeles area, which significantly impacted the Pacific Palisades region and strained local resources. Out of respect for the community and in coordination with civic authorities, tournament organizers opted not to stage the event at Riviera, redirecting efforts toward recovery and support initiatives instead. The decision underscored the event’s deep ties to the local community and the importance of prioritizing safety and restoration over sport.

Now, with Riviera restored to the schedule, the Genesis Invitational resumes its familiar role as one of the Tour’s marquee early-season stops. Elevated status and a limited field ensure intensity, but it is the course itself that remains the central character. At Riviera, precision, creativity, and nerve are tested in equal measure—qualities that promise compelling theater as the game’s elite return to one of its grandest stages.

Patrick Cantlay 2pts ew 25/1 (10 places Powers)

Patrick Cantlay enters Riviera with a blend of ball-striking pedigree and a resume that theoretically suits what the course demands. Over the last five events he’s played this season, Cantlay has posted a positive strokes gained total, averaging about +0.62 SG: Total and showing particularly solid putting metrics compared to earlier in his career—he’s averaged +0.16 SG: Putting in that span. Those figures suggest he’s trending in the right direction, finding more consistency around the greens and avoiding the volatility that has sometimes kept him from converting top-5 finishes into victories.

Riviera is historically a course that rewards elite tee-to-green play and precision off the tee, and Cantlay has shown an ability to thrive in those areas. Data from recent editions indicates that among likely starters he has ranked near the top in strokes gained metrics at Riviera, particularly on approaches and around the greens, arguably second only to a few of his peers in field strength. His tactical aptitude—managing tight fairways and Poa annua surfaces—has translated to consistent results: in his last six appearances at this event he’s recorded multiple top-20s and top-5s, demonstrating that he can handle the strategic demands of Riviera’s rolling terrain.

The Californian also brings solid recent form from similar West Coast events. Although he missed the cut at The American Express and Farmers Insurance Open, he rebounded with a strong showing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, finishing T14 and playing well on challenging greens and bent-grass surfaces. That combination of recent resilience and Riviera-specific success underpins why Cantlay is often listed among contenders in early betting profiles, even if he isn’t the outright favorite.

Ultimately, Cantlay’s candidacy at Riviera hinges on his ball-striking consistency and course management—both elements closely aligned with what Riviera historically rewards. While he’ll need to sharpen his short game to truly challenge for a win, his mix of experience at this venue and positive strokes gained trends make him a credible threat to finish near the top of the leaderboard.

Harris English 1pt ew 40/1 (10 places bet365)

Harris English enters the 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club as a dark-horse candidate largely because of his solid overall tee-to-green game and recent competitive form on the PGA Tour. While his early 2026 results haven’t featured top-10s yet — with finishes like a T22 at The American Express and T27 at Farmers Insurance Open — he still trends toward positive contributions in key strokes-gained categories. Through this season DataGolf’s model shows English generating modest gains with a notable edge in putting and around-the-greens, which can keep him competitive on a demanding test like Riviera. He’s posted a positive strokes-gained total overall (above tour average in recent measures), indicating he can hang with strong fields if his ball striking stays steady. 

Riviera’s par-71, classic layout demands precision from tee through approach and a keen short game — attributes that dovetail with English’s strengths. Historically, he’s shown he can go low when the putter clicks, and Riviera’s tricky Poa annua greens will reward those who can scramble and convert from around the greens. Add to that his experience in high-profile events and his capacity to stay composed over four rounds, and there is a plausible case for him cracking the top-20 or better if his ball striking lines up this week. Though he may not be among the pre-tournament favorites, his blend of short-game savvy, steady tee-to-green contributions, and the ability to avoid big mistakes make English a candidate worth watching at Riviera. 

Shane Lowry 1pt ew 40/1 (10 places bet365)

Shane Lowry arrives at the 2026 Shane Lowry lineup for the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club carrying steady results from recent starts that make him a credible long-shot contender this week. The Irishman posted a top-10 finish (T8) at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in his most recent PGA Tour start, firing four rounds in the high-60s and finishing 18-under to underline his ability to go low on challenging layouts with penal rough and coastal wind. He also backed that up with a T3 in Dubai earlier this season, showing his ball-striking remains in solid shape. While Riviera presents a shorter, more strategic challenge, that recent form suggests his scoring touch and consistency can translate to the tight fairways and tricky green complexes found in Pacific Palisades. 

Statistically, Lowry’s game offers mixed but intriguing signals for Riviera. In his recent starts, his Strokes Gained: Approach numbers have been positive, indicating that his iron play—a critical skill at a course that demands precision into small, receptive greens—is trending upward, even if his off-the-tee numbers have lagged somewhat. Riviera’s classical design rewards positional play and creativity over pure length, a profile that dovetails with Lowry’s strengths, particularly when he’s hitting fairways and shaping his approaches. Although he lacks extensive Riviera history compared with some of the favourites, his improving form on approach, ability to grind on difficult tracks, and comfort with varied conditions justify his inclusion as a candidate to go low and find himself in contention over four rounds. 

Ryo Hisatune 1pt ew 80/1 (10 places Powers)

As the PGA Tour converges on Riviera Country Club for the 2026 Genesis Invitational, Ryo Hisatsune enters as one of the more intriguing dark-horse candidates in the field. The 23-year-old Japanese professional has been showcasing increasingly strong form through the early season stretch, posting solid finishes including a top-10 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a top-10 at the WM Phoenix Open — performances that reflect a growing consistency across his game. Recent strokes-gained metrics paint a picture of a well-rounded contributor: over his past five starts he’s gained an average of +0.429 strokes off the tee, demonstrated above-average ball-striking, and maintained a respectable Strokes Gained: Approach mark (around +0.393 on the season), ranking him just inside the top half of the PGA Tour in that category.

Riviera’s classic, strategic layout, with its emphasis on precision over sheer length, could dovetail nicely with Hisatsune’s strengths. The course demands solid driving to favorable positions and adept approach play into small, undulating greens — a profile suited to players who combine accuracy with smart course management. While Hisatsune doesn’t have Riviera history to lean on, his recent form has shown gains across the key strokes-gained categories (off the tee, approach, around the green and putting) in consecutive starts, suggesting a game trending in the right direction for a tough test. Broader projections and expert DFS strategies have flagged him as a viable value target this week, particularly given his ball-striking profile and recent upward trajectory.

Tom Hoge 1pt ew 100/1 (10 places Powers)

Tom Hoge enters the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club as an intriguing mid-tier contender whose recent season form and statistical profile present reasons for optimism, particularly if he can sharpen a few key areas. The 36-year-old American currently sits around the top 100 in the OWGR and has recorded one top-10 finish in 2026 so far, showing flashes of competence amid an otherwise mixed season. According to recent strokes gained analysis, Hoge’s approach play has been a relative strength of late, averaging a positive mark in that category over his latest starts — a useful asset on Riviera’s firm fairways and often small, undulating greens that reward precision into the putting surfaces. His overall strokes gained over the last handful of events is slightly positive, underscoring that when his ball-striking is in sync, he is capable of posting competitive scores against strong fields. 

Course history at Riviera and similar West Coast layouts further underpins his candidacy this week. Hoge’s best Genesis finish came in 2024 with a top-10, and while his 2023 return saw a modest result, historical results suggest he can handle the strategic demands Riviera poses when in form. The Pete Dye-style coastal design places a premium on iron accuracy and scrambling — areas where Hoge has shown competence relative to his ball-striking peers when in rhythm. Moreover, past success on comparable Pacific layouts (and even a win at Pebble Beach in his career) hints that the combination of shot-making control and course familiarity can serve him well at Riviera. If Hoge can convert solid approach play into birdie opportunities and tighten his short game and putting — areas where his strokes gained splits have been less consistent — he should be viewed as a sleeper with the potential to move into the mix on the weekend.