The Genesis Invitational 2025 Preview, Picks & Analysis

The PGA Tour returns to Torrey Pines this week but uppermost in the minds of everybody will be the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires that destroyed more than 10,000 homes and killed at least 29 people.

The Genesis Invitational should have been played at Riviera Country Club but had to be moved in the aftermath of the fires. Tiger Woods, the tournament host of The Genesis Invitational, said he had a "very difficult" meeting with the owners of Riviera and agreed that the area was "just not ready" to host the event.

Woods had entered the tournament to make his first competitive appearance since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship, but following the recent death of his mother, the 15-time major champion has made the understandable decision to withdraw.

It goes without saying that the atmosphere this week is going to be very different, with Woods hoping that the tournament can raise a considerable sum of money for the victims of the fire.

"It's important that we were able to stay in Southern California because everyone who was born and raised out in Southern California can relate to the fires," he said. "It's a difficult situation, and we want to be very sensitive to that. Because we're in Southern California we're going to be able to raise more money for all the losses that have incurred."

The Genesis Invitational has been held at Riviera 60 times, including every year since 1999. 

Twelve months ago, Hideki Matsuyama shot a sensational final round of 62 to end a two-year-victory drought in spectacular fashion at the Genesis Invitational. The Japanese golfer had begun the day six shots behind overnight leader Patrick Cantlay but produced a flawless performance, which included nine birdies, to become the first player in tournament history to card 62 or better in the final round at Riviera Country Club.

Former Masters champion Matsuyama's round took him to 17-under-par for the tournament and saw him finish three shots clear of Will Zalatoris and Luke List, while Cantlay struggled to a 72 which dropped him into a tie for fourth.

Matsuyama said: "This is my first top 10 since the last Players Championship so hopefully I can keep that momentum going. It's really important for me to keep this momentum, especially going to Augusta, so hopefully I can keep that."

Chasing a ninth tournament victory on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama, who carded 69 and a pair of 68s in the first three rounds, could hardly have asked for a better start to the day with birdies on the first three holes. He opened the back nine with another three birdies in the row, and closed out his round in exactly the same manner which vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard.

Matsuyama still had to wait for the final groups to complete their rounds before he could celebrate, but it proved to be an unassailable lead as he finally put a difficult 2023 where he was hampered by a back injury to rest.

"Ever since that injury, I was worried every week something bad might happen to my back," Matsuyama said. "But this week I had no issues, I played without any worries, so that really helped too. I wasn't striking the ball really well, but my chipping and putting was working a lot this week. That really helped."

Matsuyama will be back to defend his title and has continued his wonderful form, winning the Tournament of Champions.

This promises to be a special week. It is a signature event and that means that all the PGA Tour’s top players will be in action.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Rory McIlroy put down a marker with a magnificent display in winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and will be determined to continue where he left off at Torrey Pines. His first target will be to overtake Xander Schauffele, who is second in the world rankings. McIlroy looked as relaxed as most onlookers have ever seen him at Pebble Beach. He drove the ball superbly but the key to his win was his wedge play, an area that has frequently let him down at crucial times. If he can continue this trend throughout the year he may finally end his 11-year major drought.

Scottie Scheffler made his long-awaited return at Pebble Beach and despite looking pretty ring rusty he still managed yet another top-10 finish. There was a shank and a wild drive at the 18th that saw him having to play his second shot from the beach. But make no mistake - he is once again the man to beat.

It gives you some idea of the strength of the field when you learn that Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland have all been given sponsor exemptions because their FedEx rankings were not high enough when the field was originally set. You will recall that Rose gave Xander Schauffele a run for his money at The Open last year and continued his excellent form at the recent AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Spieth is, of course, on the comeback trail after wrist problems.

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2016 and 2018 by Bubba Watson, in 2017 by Dustin Johnson, in 2019 by JB Holmes, in 2020 by Adam Scott, in 2021 by Max Homa, in 2022 by Joaquin Niemann, in 2023 by Jon Rahm and last year by Hideki Matsuyama.

The Courses:

There are two courses at Torrey Pines, the North and the South. The South, which will host the tournament, is a monster at 7,765 yards and features a wonderful closing par five that calls for a second shot played over water. It has seen many dramatic finishes over the years, never more so than in 2017 when Rahm won his maiden PGA Tour title by holing an outrageous putt on the 18th green. 

Form Guide:

Whisper it, but this could be a huge year for Rory McIlroy. Despite being well below his best, he finished fourth at the Dubai Desert Classic and then strode to a magnificent victory at Pebble Beach.

Prize Money:

This is a signature event, with a total prize fund of $20m. The winner will collect a cool $4m and 700 FedEx Cup points.

How to Watch:

Thursday, February 13, Friday, February 14, Sky Sports Golf, 9pm, Saturday, February 15, Sunday, February 16, Sky Sports Golf, 6pm.

To Win:

Scottie Scheffler. Carrying on where he left off

Each Way:

Rory McIlroy. Back to his brilliant best

Each Way:

Hideki Matsuyama. Fit and firing again

Five to Follow:

Scottie Scheffler. Has absolutely no weaknesses

Rory McIlroy. Could this be his year?

Hideki Matsuyama. Will be there or thereabouts

Viktor Hovland. There have been some encouraging signs

Shane Lowry. Torrey Pines is made for him