The 2026 Genesis Invitational tees off Thursday at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, with a $20 million purse and defending champion Ludvig Åberg returning to defend his title. Collin Morikawa enters the tournament on the heels of a win at Pebble Beach, seeking to continue his resurgence after a quiet 2025. Morikawa has consistently performed well at The Genesis Invitational, finishing T19 or better in the past four years, including a T2 in 2022.
Early betting odds list Scottie Scheffler as the +300 favorite, followed by Rory McIlroy at +1300, Hideki Matsuyama (+2000), Morikawa (+2700), and Åberg (+4500). Matsuyama, who won this event in 2024, has struggled in previous years, missing the cut twice since 2021 and finishing outside the top 10 last year, making him a potential fade despite his odds. Meanwhile, the model is extremely high on Chris Gotterup (+3000), who has been one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour, winning two of the four events he entered this year and maintaining strong metrics in driving distance and Strokes Gained: Total.
SportsLine’s proprietary model, developed by DFS expert Mike McClure, simulated the tournament 10,000 times to project a leaderboard, targeting both favorites and longshots. The model has a strong track record, having correctly predicted 16 major outcomes, including the 2025 Masters, PGA Championship, and Open Championship. Golf bettors are encouraged to consider these insights before making DFS or sportsbook picks on platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings.
2026 Genesis Invitational PreviewLongshots, Favorites, and Course Challenges Shape Betting Strategies at 2026 Genesis Invitational
The Genesis Invitational often delivers surprises, and the model has highlighted several longshots with odds of +2700 or higher as potential high-value picks. Players who excel in both driving distance and strokes gained metrics are especially favored, as Riviera’s narrow fairways and challenging greens require precision and versatility.
Morikawa’s experience at Riviera, combined with recent success, makes him a top contender, while Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy remain strong favorites based on consistency and recent form. Meanwhile, the defending champion Åberg and other contenders like Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim, and Cameron Young offer mid-range betting value.
For new sportsbook users, both FanDuel and DraftKings are offering promotional bonuses for qualifying bets, allowing bettors to maximize their potential returns while placing small initial wagers. These promotions are limited by state and age restrictions, and users must review eligibility requirements before claiming any bonus bets.
The tournament’s combination of seasoned veterans, emerging talent, and historically difficult course conditions makes the 2026 Genesis Invitational a compelling event for both golf fans and sports bettors. Players like Gotterup and other long shots could shake up the leaderboard, while established stars like Scheffler, McIlroy, and Morikawa are expected to contend for the title, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable tournament.
2026 Genesis Invitational Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook)
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +300 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1300 |
| Xander Schauffele | +1900 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +1900 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | +2000 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +2500 |
| Russell Henley | +2700 |
| Collin Morikawa | +2700 |
| Sam Burns | +3000 |
| Si Woo Kim | +3000 |
| Cameron Young | +3000 |
| Chris Gotterup | +3000 |
| Viktor Hovland | +3500 |
| Robert MacIntyre | +3500 |
| Min Woo Lee | +3500 |
| Justin Rose | +4000 |
| Maverick McNealy | +4000 |
| Ben Griffin | +4000 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +4000 |
| Rickie Fowler | +4000 |
| Jake Knapp | +4000 |
| Harris English | +4000 |
| Adam Scott | +4500 |
| Ludvig Åberg | +4500 |
| Sepp Straka | +4500 |
| Akshay Bhatia | +5000 |
| Jordan Spieth | +5500 |
| Keegan Bradley | +5500 |
| Shane Lowry | +5500 |
| Ryan Gerard | +5500 |
| Jason Day | +6000 |
| J.J. Spaun | +6000 |
| Kurt Kitayama | +7000 |
| Pierceson Coody | +7000 |
| Taylor Pendrith | +7500 |
| Max Homa | +7500 |
| Nick Taylor | +7500 |
| Alex Noren | +8000 |
| Jacob Bridgeman | +8000 |
| J.T. Poston | +8000 |
| Harry Hall | +8000 |
