The PGA TOUR returns to its hallowed grounds this week as the2026 Genesis Invitationalmarks a historic homecoming to Riviera Country Club. After the 2025 edition was forced to Torrey Pines in San Diego due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the world’s elite head back to Santa Monica for the tournament’s landmark 100th edition.
WhileLudvig Åbergarrives as the defending champion following his win at Torrey Pines,Hideki Matsuyamaremains the most recent winner at Riviera after his legendary victory here in 2024, where he shot a final-round -9 to steal the Genesis. The field is headlined by a heavyweight clash between World No. 1Scottie Schefflerand No. 2Rory McIlroy.
They are joined by a formidable group of California natives, includingPatrick Cantlay,Collin Morikawa, andMax Homa(2021 Genesis champion), who always find an extra gear when playing in front of a home crowd. With a $20 million purse and signature event status, this week promises an elite test at one of golf’s most iconic venues.
I took a bath last week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, dropping-4.67 units (u), bringing my 2026 PGA TOUR bankroll down to-11.06u. That said, here is mystarting 5and aOne-And-Donepick for Riviera. (I'm putting in 2.38u on my outrights to profit 20u if one of them wins, and another 1.5u on my placement bets.)
The following odds are based on my previous bets on the golfers listed below. Subject to change.
The UCLA alum and fellow Long Beach native is familiar with these tricky West Coast Poa greens, and it’s his best putting surface. Cantlay is second in total Strokes Gained (SG) in this field over the last 20 rounds at Riviera. His worst finish at Riviera is T33 in seven starts with three top-fives, including third in 2023 and T4 in the 2024 Genesis.
There is some "scar tissue" for Patrick here because his T4 two years ago was pretty much a choke job. He led after the first, second, and third rounds. Granted, Matsuyama went nuts on Sunday to steal the 2024 Genesis, but Cantlay was +1 in the final round, so he didn’t exactly help himself out.
Patrick Cantlay lines up a putt in the final round of the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. (Photo credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images)
Even though he finished T13 at the American Express and missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in his first two starts this season, Patrick has picked up strokes in every club in his bag besides the putter in those tournaments.
Cantlay has gained more than two strokes on the greens in a T14 in last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which also has difficult Poa greens. He’s gained five strokes putting in his seven career starts at Riviera. Essentially, I’m betting Cantlay because his ball-striking (driving and iron-play) is on point, and he usually putts well on these greens.
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