The $20 million Genesis Invitational began Thursday at The Riviera Country Club, returning to the course following a one-year absence caused by the Palisades Fire, and will again assist recovery efforts from the 2025 wildfires.
The 100th edition of the PGA Tour tournament includes 18 of the top 20 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Rory McIlroy. Scheffler is the 3-1 pre-tournament favorite, according to FanDuel, the official odds provider for the PGA Tour’s app and website.
McIlroy is the second choice at 11-1.
The 2025 edition of the tournament was moved to the South Course of Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego “out of respect for the unfolding situation,” tournament organizers announced on Jan. 16, 2025, 28 days before the start of tournament play.
In response to the 2025 Los Angeles area wildfires, Genesis, the automotive brand that is the tournament’s title sponsor, the PGA Tour and TGR Live, the event management and production company owned by tournament host Tiger Woods, formed the “California Rises” initiative before the start of last year’s Genesis Invitational to assist relief and recovery efforts for affected communities.
The initiative continues at this year’s tournament, including “Birdies for Good,” where $1,000 will be donated for every birdie and eagle on the 10th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th holes and $25,000 for every hole-in-one.
There will also be merchandise for sale on the tournament grounds with all proceeds contributed to the California Rises fund. Fans watching the tournament at home on television can purchase the merchandise online at TheGenesisCollection.com.
Genesis announced it will donate at least $1 million to California Rising.
On Wednesday, Julianna “Juju” Chan, the fiancée of PGA Tour player Sahith Theegala, presented a $10,000 check from the PGA Tour Wives Association to support California Rises.
In 2025, Genesis donated 100 tournament vehicles used by the players throughout the tournament week, valued at $7.5 million to various nonprofit organizations, including the Salvation Army — Southern California Division, ThinkWatts Foundation and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, as part of California Rises.
Proceeds generated through California Rises will benefit:
— the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, which supports the department by funding essential equipment, training and programs that enhance public safety and emergency response;
— Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to support recovery and rebuilding in areas devastated by the wildfires; and
— the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, which restores and reimagines arts and music programs for children affected by the wildfires.
The Genesis Invitational is among eight Signature Events with limited fields, increased FedExCup points and a heightened purse. It is one of the three player-hosted Signature Events along with the Arnold Palmer Invitational the Memorial Tournament. They are the only Signature Events to include a cut, a 20% prize allocation to winner, $4 million — up from 18% and one tournament host exemption.
After completion of the second round, the 72-player field will be reduced to the low 50 players and ties and any additional players within 10 strokes of the lead.
The tournament will be televised on Golf Channel from 1-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3:30 p.m. on CBS. Additional coverage will be streamed on the ESPN+ streaming service from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 6:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.