As the PGA Tour returns to Pacific Palisades for the 100th Genesis Invitational, rain-softened conditions at Riviera place a massive premium on elite driving and long iron play.
Event: PGA Tour – The Genesis Invitational
Where: Riviera Country Club (Pacific Palisades, CA)
When: February 19–22, 2026
Watch: ESPN, Golf Channel
The Genesis Invitational returns to its historic home at Riviera Country Club for the 100th edition of this storied event — and the return carries extra weight. A year after the Los Angeles wildfires forced the tournament away from Pacific Palisades, the game’s best players are back at one of golf’s most revered venues, hosted once again by Tiger Woods.
Riviera Country Club, designed by George C. Thomas Jr. and William P. Bell and opened in 1926, is a true championship test. The par-71 layout stretches 7,383 yards with Poa annua greens, tight fairways, and a course design that demands precision from tee to green on virtually every hole. This week’s conditions add another layer of difficulty — California has been drenched with rain leading into the tournament, which will make Riviera play even longer and more demanding, punishing players who can’t keep the ball in the fairway. The par-3 fourth hole was also lengthened nearly 40 yards ahead of this week’s event, now measuring over 270 yards, adding another brutal test to an already demanding card.
This is a 72-player signature event with a $20 million purse — no weak fields, no easy cuts. The best players in the world are here, and with conditions playing firm on distance and precision, the matchup between elite ball-strikers should be a compelling one.
About the Course
- Par: 71
- Distance: 7,383 yards (playing longer due to rain-softened conditions)
- Key Stat to Target: Strokes Gained: Approach — Riviera’s Poa annua greens demand precision iron play above all else
- Lengthened 4th Hole: Now plays 273 yards, up from 236, making it one of the toughest par 3s in professional golf this week
- Course History Matters: Riviera is a singular test on Tour — players who have performed well here historically tend to do so again
Who to Bet on This Weekend?
Rory McIlroy – Top 10 Finish (+125)
Rory McIlroy may not have a win at the Genesis Invitational, but his record at Riviera is far better than that would suggest. He has three top-10 finishes in his last six starts here and has only finished worse than T29 once in eight career appearances at this course. That kind of consistency at a venue as demanding as Riviera is hard to find.
The wet conditions this week actually play directly into his strengths. McIlroy ranks fifth in total driving and 11th in strokes gained: approach over the last 24 rounds, while sitting second in strokes gained tee-to-green over that same stretch. His T14 at Pebble Beach last week was muted by some struggles off the tee, but he still gained 6.8 strokes on the field with his irons on approach — an elite mark that translates directly to what Riviera rewards. With a long, rain-softened course demanding elite driving prowess, McIlroy is in his element. The +125 line for a top 10 is a very playable number.
Si Woo Kim – Top 20 Finish (-110)
Si Woo Kim has been one of the hottest players on Tour in 2026 and deserves serious attention at Riviera this week. He started the year with a T-11 at Waialae and a T-6 at the Desert Classic, then followed with a T-2 at Torrey Pines and a T-3 in the desert. His recent Pebble Beach result fell flat, but he closed with a 7-under 65 on Sunday — a clear sign his game is in excellent shape. Few players have been as dominant on the closing 18 as Kim has been this season.
At +3500 to win outright, Kim offers some value as a longer shot, but the safer play is the top 20 at -110. His course history at Riviera isn’t as deep as some others in the field, but his current ball-striking form and consistency over four rounds make him a solid bet to finish inside the top 20 in a quality 72-player field.
Patrick Cantlay – Top 5 Finish (+400)
Patrick Cantlay has a proven track record at Riviera. His most recent appearance here resulted in a T-4 finish, and while he played even par across the final 36 holes, he still managed a strong result on one of the most demanding courses on Tour. Cantlay is known for his patience, precise iron play, and ability to navigate tough green complexes — all attributes that are at a premium at Riviera.
He opened this week with odds of +2200 to win outright and +400 for a top 5 finish. At that number, the top 5 prop is worth a look. Cantlay’s methodical, ball-striking-first approach suits a wet Riviera where grinding out pars and capitalizing on birdie opportunities will be more valuable than gambling. His strokes gained approach numbers have been solid in recent starts, and his composure on Poa annua greens is well-documented.
Best Value Prop of the Week
Chris Gotterup – 1st Round Driving For Dough (+325)
The “Driving For Dough” market asks which player will record the longest drive in the first round, and Chris Gotterup at +325 stands out as the best value in this prop. Gotterup is one of the longest hitters in the field and has been drawing attention all season for his raw power off the tee. With Riviera playing softer and longer due to rain, distance off the tee becomes even more important this week. Gotterup, who is also listed as a tournament dark horse at +3500 outright, presents an intriguing two-way play — a driving prop backed by legitimate tournament upside at an appealing number.
Genesis Invitational Picks Summary
| Player | Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | Top 10 Finish | +125 |
| Si Woo Kim | Top 20 Finish | -110 |
| Patrick Cantlay | Top 5 Finish | +400 |
| Chris Gotterup | 1st Round Driving For Dough | +325 |
The 100th playing of the Genesis Invitational has all the ingredients for a memorable week — a historic course, an elite field, a dramatic return to Pacific Palisades, and conditions that will test every facet of the game. The rain-soaked Riviera will reward players who can drive it straight and long, attack Poa greens with precise irons, and avoid the big numbers that this course can hand out in a hurry. Bet responsibly and enjoy the action.