PGA Tour Brunch | Genesis Invitational
First Round Preview of the 2026 Genesis Invitational | Riviera CC | LA
By TERRY LYONS, Digital Sports Desk
The Genesis Invitational | Tournament Preview
LOS ANGELES - California has experienced a busy month of entertainment and sporting activities. From the West Coast Swing of the PGA Tour to the GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara to the NBA All-Star Game in Inglewood to the Genesis Invitational, hosted by the great Tiger Woods, it’s been a month of exciting events.
After the Genesis, you’ll have to wait until March 15th for the Academy Awards.
This week? Golf will do.
Ludvig Åberg was the winner of the 2025 Genesis Invitational when it was staged at Torrey Pines’ South Course after the event was relocated from The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades following devastating wildfires in the area. Åberg is facing a tough task, as the last time a player defended a PGA TOUR title at a different venue: Rory McIlroy/THE CJ CUP (2021 at The Summit Club; 2022 at Congaree GC).
Rory McIlroy, the world No. 2, is making his second start of the PGA Tour season after finishing T14 at last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. McIlroy finished T3 and T33 in his two DP World Tour appearances in Dubai earlier this year.
Last week, Collin Morikawa captured his seventh career PGA TOUR title at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, posting weekend rounds of 62-67 for a one-stroke victory over Min Woo Lee and Sepp Straka. It was Morikawa’s first win on TOUR since the 2023 Baycurrent Classic, a span of 46 starts.
Preview | The Genesis Invitational
COURSE: Riviera County Club, Pacific Palisades, California
OVERVIEW: 2026 Genesis Invitational (link)
ARCHITECTS: G.C.Thomas, Jr. and W.P. Bell
YARDS/PAR: 7,383 yards/Par 71
PRIZE Money/First Place Winnings: $20,000,000/$4,000,000
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Ludvig Åberg (at Torrey Pines)
PAST RESULTS: (link)
FEDEx CUP Points to Winner: 700
SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @thegenesisinv
Media Coverage of The 2026 Genesis Invitational
Thursday, February 19, 2026 - (All Times Eastern)
10:15am - 8:00pm - ESPN+ streaming
2:00pm - 8:00pm - PGA Tour Radio on Sirius/XM or streaming online
4:00pm - 8:00pm - Golf Channel and Peacock Network
How to Watch: In case of changes, visit: (PGATourCom)
The Basics:
The Genesis Invitational begins with Tee Times today at 10:15am to 3:02pm (ET)
Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon (2pm local). There will be a 70% chance of rain in the morning hours, some heavy at times. Also, beware of 23 mph winds. Temps in the low to mid 50s.
PGA Tour Brunch will post at 10:00am (ET) on Friday.
Last Year’s Leaderboard (from Torrey Pines) - (link)
Two Years Ago Leaderboard (from Riviera CC) - (link)
Last Week’s Leaderboard from Pebble Beach: (link)
This Week’s Leaderboard: (link)
The Genesis Invitational - Field and Tee Times
The Field: (link)
Tee Times: (link)
What They’re Saying:
Power Rankings for The Genesis Invitational (PGATourCom)
Tiger Woods Won’t Rule Out Return to The Masters (ESPN)
CBS Sports Golf HQ - (CBS Sports)
Sports Gambling, Daily Fantasy News
Expert Picks for Genesis (PGATourCom)
Sleeper Picks for the Genesis (PGATourCom)
ESPN’s Look from the Book; Handicapping The Genesis (ESPN)
On This Day in Golf History:
February 19, 1978 - Dr. Gil Morgan, a licensed optometrist, shot a final round (70) to defeat Jack Nicklaus and win the Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club. Nicklaus flubbed a chip shot on 15 and double-bogeyed to lose by two strokes. - (Courtesy of Randy Walker), Author of On This Day in Golf History, available via Amazon.com and by clicking HERE
Parting Putt:
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