The Genesis Invitational’s Greatest Curse: Why Golf’s Biggest Names Keep Coming Up Short in LA
Look, I’ve been around this game long enough to know that sometimes the narrative writes itself. And right now, with the Genesis Invitational approaching its 100th anniversary in 2026, we’ve got ourselves a genuinely fascinating story lurking beneath all those trophy names and historical accolades.
The Genesis—or the Los Angeles Open, depending on your vintage—has hosted some of the most dominant players in golf history. From Harry Cooper in the beginning right through to Ludvig Aberg’s recent victory, the winners’ list reads like a who’s who of greatness. But here’s what strikes me after 35 years covering this tour: the list of all-time greats who’ve never won this event might be even more remarkable than those who have.
When Greatness Meets Its Match
I’m talking about Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Lee Trevino. If you laid those six names in front of a casual fan and asked them to identify which one hadn’t won a particular PGA Tour event, they’d laugh you out of the room. These aren’t journeymen grinders we’re discussing. These are Hall of Famers and generational talents.
Consider Scottie Scheffler, the current runaway World No. 1. He’s played the Genesis seven times and has T3rd finishes to show for it—his best result coming just this year at the relocated Torrey Pines venue. “The current runaway World No.1 has played this event seven times but has failed to stand on top of the podium when all is said and done.” That’s not for lack of trying or talent. It’s something more curious: a gap between expectation and execution that even the most dominating player of our era hasn’t been able to close.
The same applies to McIlroy, who’s won 24 PGA Tour events but never this one. Having caddied back in the ’90s and covered the tour since, I’ve learned that streaks like this often reveal something about course fit, timing, or the peculiar alchemy that makes some tournaments just difficult for certain players, no matter how talented they are.
The Riviera Factor
Here’s where it gets interesting from a course perspective. The Genesis has been held at Riviera Country Club consistently since 1973—and before that, 12 additional times. That’s not just a venue; that’s a character. Riviera demands a particular kind of golf: precision off the tee, creative shot-making around greens that don’t forgive, and mental patience.
“The Genesis Invitational has – with the exception of 2025, 1998 and 1983 – been played at Riviera since 1973.” That’s 50 years of institutional knowledge embedded in that course. It’s hosted legends who understood its quirks and demands. Maybe—just maybe—some of golf’s greatest players simply haven’t cracked that particular code, at least not at the right moment.
Tiger and the One That Got Away
What really gets me is Tiger Woods’ story here. The man has 82 PGA Tour wins and has captured practically every significant title in professional golf. Yet he never got this one. “Tiger Woods has won pretty much everything the PGA Tour has (or has ever had) to offer. Yet, the 82-time PGA Tour winner never claimed the Los Angeles Open title.”
His closest call? A playoff loss to Billy Mayfair in 1998, followed by a one-stroke loss to Ernie Els the next year. Those moments haunt you differently in golf than in other sports. It’s not about heart or effort—it’s about whether the golf gods smiled that particular week. In my experience, that can define a player’s legacy more than you’d think.
What’s equally fascinating is that Tiger made his PGA Tour debut here in 1992 at Rancho Park, finishing 50th and collecting around $30 in prize money. Full circle never came.
The Legends Who Never Quite Finished
Then you’ve got Jack Nicklaus, arguably the greatest of all time with 73 PGA Tour titles. Gary Player, with over 150 professional victories worldwide. Lee Trevino, a six-time Major champion with 23 PGA Tour wins. These aren’t fringe players with one or two close calls—they’re titans of the game, and yet this particular event eluded them.
Gary Player and Al Balding came closest in 1963, finishing T2 just three strokes behind Arnold Palmer. Nicklaus managed a solo second in 1978, two shots back. Trevino never quite got there, despite 92 professional wins that included The Players Championship.
This phenomenon tells us something important about professional golf: even the greatest players don’t win everything. That’s humbling and, frankly, beautiful. It means no player is invincible. It means timing, course conditions, and the field matter enormously.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we approach the centennial in 2026, I’m genuinely curious whether any of these modern greats finally break through. Will Scottie add this to his collection? Will Rory finally get his Genesis trophy before the tour moves on to new venues? The relocation away from Riviera after all these decades—it changes things. New course, new dynamics, but also perhaps new opportunities.
What I know for certain is that this isn’t a knock against any of these players. It’s a reminder that golf, at its highest levels, remains wonderfully unpredictable. And that’s exactly why we keep coming back.
