Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Latest:
2026 Genesis Invitational Picks And Plays
Business & Finance

2026 Genesis Invitational Picks And Plays

adminsr


After wildfires forced the 2025 Genesis Invitational south to Torrey Pines, the PGA Tour returns to its rightful stage: Riviera Country Club. With that, the West Coast Swing reaches its traditional and fitting crescendo.

There’s a reason players call it simply “Riv.” Revered as one of the finest stops on tour, Riviera blends classic design with unmistakable Southern California character. Towering eucalyptus, sweeping barrancas and golden-hour light create a visual that few venues can rival. The last time we saw it, Hideki Matsuyama delivered a performance for the ages, firing a Sunday 62 that felt less like a round and more like a masterpiece to claim the title.

But Riviera doesn’t yield without a fight. Tight driving corridors demand precision. The unpredictable Kikuyu rough can twist club faces and tempers alike. And the greens are slick, sloping, and full of subtle breaks which require imagination as much as touch. It’s a complete examination, one that exposes weakness and rewards the most well-rounded games in the field.

Unlike last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where every player in the limited field cashed a check, Riviera brings back the tension of a cut. Only the low 50 and ties, plus anyone within 10 shots of the lead, will see the weekend. The margin for error tightens quickly.

As for the headliner, Scottie Scheffler arrives chasing his ninth consecutive top-four finish on the PGA Tour — a staggering run of consistency in an era defined by volatility. History suggests he’ll be lurking come Sunday.

The question isn’t whether Scheffler will contend. It’s who else is ready to rise to the moment at Riviera and make a little noise of their own. Without picking all of the favorites, here are some players who I think we could see on the leaderboard come Sunday.

Tommy Fleetwood

Tommy Lad has been playing some proper golf for quite awhile now. The Fed ex champion lifted a massive boulder of his shoulders last year and is now looking to build on it. He made his 2026 debut last week at Pebble Beach and finished T-4. The last time he played the golf course in competition in 2024 he finished with a top 10. With such a strong all around game and confidence to go with it, I can see him getting himself into contention on Sunday.

Harris English

Known for his cool demeanor and steady play, Harris English has been golfing his ball better than anyone might think. He hasn’t spent much time on the first page of the leaderboard yet in 2026, but the foundation is quietly solid: four starts, four made cuts, and not a single finish outside the top 30. Although he hasn’t truly contended yet, getting out ahead of when that will happen is always a forward thinking move. The last time the Genesis Invitational was contested at Riviera Country Club back in 2024, English quietly worked his way into a tie for seventh. Riviera rewards patience, precision and experience. He may not arrive with the flash of a headline favorite, but English has long made a living laying under the weeds.

Tony Controversy

For a player who slipped into the field at the eleventh hour via a sponsor’s exemption, this isn’t where you’d expect to find him — spotlighted as a serious factor. But when it comes to Tony Finau at Riviera Country Club, the résumé demands attention. Finau’s history here is anything but accidental. He’s posted five top-20 finishes in his last seven appearances, including a pair of runner-up performances that proved he can navigate Riviera’s demanding corridors and treacherous greens. With putting usually being his achilles heel, he led the entire field in SG: Putting on similar Poa greens at last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He hasn’t seriously contended in recent months outsdie of a T-11 at Torrey Pines, but sometimes form is less about fireworks and more about timing. And for Finau at Riviera, the timing feels intriguing. When the putter cooperates, the ceiling rises quickly and this just might be one of those weeks when everything aligns.

Rory McIlroy

Although he’s always a heavy favorite and one to watch, Rory McIlroy showed plenty of resilience last week. Despite playing four of his 72 holes at 9-over par, he still found a way to contend. McIlroy gained 6.8 strokes on approach at Pebble Beach, an impressive number considering he carded four doubles or worse. Riviera should allow him to separate even more on a driver-heavy layout. With the way he’s currently striking the ball along with more opportunities to lean on his biggest weapon off the tee — expect Rory to give Scottie and the rest of the field a serious run.

Matt Fitzpatrick

Fitzy has come out firing in 2026. A few late mistakes down the stretch last week kept him from posting back-to-back top-10 finishes, but the overall form has been strong. His iron play has been dialed in, gaining nearly two strokes on the field, and he ranked sixth in tee-to-green performance at Pebble Beach. Perhaps most encouraging, he’s been in contention despite a putter that’s been cold by his standards. Riviera hasn’t yielded much recent success for him, so it sets up an interesting debate: in the battle between current form and course history, which one wins out this week?

You May Also Like

12 celebrity outfits that missed the mark at the 2026 Grammys

12 celebrity outfits that missed the mark at the 2026 Grammys

adminsr
Read Sam Altman's internal Slack message to employees saying ICE 'is going too far'

Read Sam Altman's internal Slack message to employees saying ICE 'is going too far'

adminsr
29 of the most shocking Grammy moments of all time

29 of the most shocking Grammy moments of all time

adminsr

Please Subscribe. it’s Free!

Your Name *
Email Address *