The 100th edition of the Genesis Invitational was meant to be a celebratory return to Riviera Country Club. But instead of that, players have arrived at a course bracing for a storm. After dramatic finishes at the WM Phoenix Open and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational began with one of the strongest fields. However, the PGA Tour now faces a very different challenge. That is to simply get the most-awaited event completed. And with that, they are again planning to implement one of the most controversial rules.

A recent official update from the PGA Tour reads, “Thursday weather forecast for The Genesis Invitational. Preferred lies will be in effect for the first round.” It’s because it has been announced, A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR RIVIERA COUNTRY CLUB THROUGH 9 PM THIS EVENING.”

The controversial rules of ‘Preferred lies’ allow a golfer to pick up the ball, clean the mud of it, and place it within a specific distance (within one club length or six inches of the original spot). Notably, such a leverage is often disliked by golf enthusiasts as it goes against the traditional golf rules. This makes a golfer take the shot from where the ball originally landed, irrespective of the conditions.

The official weather report reads, “Rain is likely this morning and could be heavy at times. The heaviest rain is expected between 10am-noon. Winds will dramatically increase after noon and could gust to 34mph at times. Temperatures in the 40s this morning will only reach the middle 50s by this afternoon. Total rainfall today is forecast to be around a half inch.”

The update was making its way when nearly every elite name was gearing up to tee off at the Riviera Country Club. Out of the top 50 players from the OWGR board, 41 names have appeared on the field for the 2026 Genesis Invitational. And standing amongst such a strong field, the world’s number one golfer is all buckled up to leave a mark on one of golf’s trickiest green which has eluded even the likes of the great Tiger Woods.

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Scottie Scheffler looks to soar above Tiger Woods by winning The Genesis Invitational 

Tiger Woods has won almost everything in his career so far. But the one golf course he could not conquer was that of Riviera. Despite trying multiple times, the golfing legend failed to win The Genesis Invitational. As such playing the tournament in 2026, current World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler is looking to topple the US legend. 

Surprisingly, till now, Scheffler too, has been riding the same luck as Woods’. Back in the 2017 US Amateur, Scheffler missed the cut with a double bogey on the par-4 10th hole. Next up, he also missed the cut for The Genesis Open in 2018 as an amateur. And that’s not all. After turning pro, Scheffler played five times at the Riviera. While he posted four top-20s, the iconic golfer could never clinch victory. 

Exuding confidence, trying to shake things up this time, Scheffler said, “The grass provides a different set of challenges than we see throughout the rest of the year, and I feel like this golf course can be about as frustrating to play as any on Tour just with the little tricks that it has to it. Overall, if you execute out here, you’re going to get rewarded for it.”

Surely, looking at the world number 1’s recent form, the possibility of him winning the tournament looks pretty promising. Scheffler had recorded 18 consecutive top 10 finishes, which also includes three wins. And the worst he has done? A T8! This year, too, Scheffler had a strong start. In the three tournaments he has played so far, Scheffler won one while getting a T3 and T4 finish in the next two.