The Genesis Invitational Winners – A Decade by Decade Look

Matthew Holder

The Genesis Invitational Winners – A Decade by Decade Look

The Genesis Invitational, previously known as the Genesis Open, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. The tournament has a rich history dating back to 1926, when it was first held at the Los Angeles Country Club. Throughout the years, it has been played at various prestigious golf courses in the Los Angeles area, including Riviera Country Club, where it has been held since 1999.

The tournament has been won by some of the most iconic names in golf, including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods. The Genesis Invitational has also been the site of many historic moments in golf, including Hogan’s incredible comeback from a near-fatal car accident to win the tournament in 1950, and Woods’ record-breaking win in 1999 when he became the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam.

The Genesis Invitational is a highly anticipated event on the PGA Tour calendar, attracting some of the best golfers from around the world to compete for the coveted title. It is also known for its charitable contributions, with proceeds from the tournament benefiting various local organizations and non-profits.

History of The Genesis Invitational Open

Throughout its history, the Genesis Invitational has been won by some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods are just a few of the many Halls of Fame players who have won the tournament. In recent years, the tournament has featured a strong field of players, including many of the top players in the world.

Over the years, the tournament has been held at several different venues, including the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, where it has been held since 1973. The tournament has also been known by several different names, including the Northern Trust Open and the Genesis Open, before adopting its current name, the Genesis Invitational, in 2019.

One of the most memorable moments in the history of the Genesis Invitational came in 1971, when Jack Nicklaus won the tournament with a record-breaking score of 271, which stood as a tournament record for more than 20 years. Another memorable moment came in 2008 when Phil Mickelson won the tournament for the second time in his career, with a final round of 64.

The Genesis Invitational is known for its strong field of players, challenging course, and exciting finishes, and it remains one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour. In 2019, the tournament was elevated to invitational status by the PGA Tour, and the field of players was reduced from 156 to 120. This change was aimed to make the tournament more exclusive and to attract a stronger field of players. In 2021, the tournament had a new sponsor, Genesis Motor America, a luxury car brand, and the tournament was renamed as Genesis Invitational. The tournament is known for its celebrity pro-am and its charitable contributions, which have been directed primarily to the Tiger Woods Learning Center, which is a non-profit organization that provides educational opportunities for children.

Notable past winners of the Genesis Invitational Tournament

The Genesis Invitational has been won by many of the top golfers in the world throughout its history. Some notable past winners include:

Ben Hogan (1942, 1948)

Arnold Palmer (1971)

Tom Watson (1978)

Phil Mickelson (2008, 2018)

Tiger Woods (1999, 2002, 2007)

Bubba Watson (2014, 2016)

J.B. Holmes (2015)

Adam Scott (2017)

Max Homa (2019)

Matt Fitzpatrick (2020)

Dustin Johnson (2021)

These are just a few of the many accomplished golfers who have won the Genesis Invitational. The tournament has also been won by many other top golfers from around the world.

Ben Hogan (1942, 1948)

Ben Hogan was one of the most accomplished golfers of his time, winning 63 PGA Tour events during his career, including 9 major championships. He won the Genesis Invitational tournament twice, in 1942 and 1948, making him one of the most successful golfers in the tournament’s history. Hogan’s win in 1942 was notable for being his first professional win and in 1948 he won the tournament setting a new course record. Hogan was known for his precise and consistent swing, earning him the nickname “The Hawk.” He was also known for his fierce competitive spirit and his ability to come back from adversity, including a near-fatal car accident in 1949 that many thought would end his career, but he came back and won multiple events, including the U.S Open in 1950. Hogan’s legacy in the sport of golf continues to be celebrated to this day.

Arnold Palmer (1971)

Arnold Palmer, known as “The King” of golf, was one of the most popular and successful golfers of the 20th century. He won seven major championships, including the Masters in 1958, 1960 and 1962, and the U.S Open in 1960. He also won the Genesis Invitational tournament in 1971. His win in the 1971 genesis invitational was notable as it was his 62nd victory on the PGA Tour, breaking the record of most wins by a golfer at that time. Palmer was known for his charismatic personality and his ability to connect with fans, which helped to popularize the sport of golf during the 1960s. He was also known for his aggressive style of play, often going for broke on the course. He was considered as one of the biggest draw in golf during his era, and his impact on the game continues to be felt today. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and passed away in 2016.

Tom Watson (1978)

Tom Watson is a retired professional golfer who won eight major championships during his career, including five Open Championships and two Masters. He was one of the most dominant golfers of the 1970s and 1980s and is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Watson was known for his strong short game and his ability to compete in tough conditions. He was the number one golfer in the world for a total of 39 weeks and spent much of his career in the top 10. He also captained the US Ryder Cup team in 1993, 2014 and 2019. Watson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988 and continues to be respected and admired by fans and fellow players alike.

Phil Mickelson (2008, 2018)

Phil Mickelson is a professional golfer who has won 44 events on the PGA Tour, including five major championships: the Masters Tournament three times, the PGA Championship once and the Open Championship once. He is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to perform well under pressure. Mickelson has been a member of the United States Ryder Cup team multiple times and has also represented his country in the Olympics. He has also been successful off the course, with a successful business career and a reputation as a philanthropist. He is an ambassador for the sport of golf, and continues to be a fan favorite and a popular figure in the game.

Tiger Woods (1999, 2002, 2007)

T iger Woods won the Genesis Invitational golf tournament in 2002, which was held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. This was his fifth victory at the tournament, which is also known as the Genesis Open. It was a historic win for Woods, as it marked his 83rd PGA Tour victory, which tied him with Sam Snead for the most PGA Tour wins in history. Woods, who was then 44, shot a final round of 71 to finish the tournament at 13-under par, three strokes ahead of the runner-up. The win was a comeback for Woods, who had undergone multiple back surgeries and had not won a tournament in four years. It was also the start of a comeback season for him as he went on to win the Masters that year.

Bubba Watson (2014, 2016)

Bubba Watson is a professional golfer who has won 12 PGA Tour events, including two Masters Tournaments in 2012 and 2014. He is known for his length off the tee and his creative shot-making ability. Watson is a left-handed golfer who has been a consistent performer on the tour and has been inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking for more than a decade. He has also been a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team multiple times, and represented the U.S. in the Olympic games as well. Watson is known for his outgoing personality and is popular among fans and fellow players. He is also a devoted Christian and has been involved in multiple charitable endeavors throughout his career.

J.B Holmes (2015)

J.B. Holmes is an American professional golfer who has won four PGA Tour events, with his most recent win in the Genesis Open in 2020. He is known for his powerful and long driving off the tee, ranking consistently among the tour leaders in driving distance. Holmes has been a regular on the tour since 2006 and has played in multiple major championships. He has had a few notable performances in the past, such as finishing tied for fourth at the 2008 Masters, and winning the Wells Fargo Championship in 2008. Holmes is also known for his slow play on the golf course, which has been a subject of criticism by some of his peers and fans. Despite this, he is a respected player on the tour and continues to compete at a high level.

Adam Scott (2017)

Adam Scott is an Australian professional golfer who has had a successful career on the PGA Tour, winning 13 events including the Masters Tournament in 2013. Recently, he added another win to his resume, by capturing the Genesis Invitational in 2020.

The Genesis Invitational is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour, and Scott’s victory was a significant one. He won the tournament in dramatic fashion, with a birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with fellow Australian, Jhonattan Vegas. In the playoff, Scott hit a beautiful approach shot to within a few feet of the hole, and eventually made the birdie to seal the win.

The victory at the Genesis Invitational was a long time coming for Scott, who has been one of the most consistent players on the tour for many years. He has been a mainstay in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings and has been in the top 10 multiple times. Scott’s victory was also notable as he has been more consistent on international tours than PGA in recent years.

Scott is known for his smooth and elegant swing, and his ability to perform well under pressure. He is also a popular figure in the game and continues to be a major force in the sport of golf. This victory is a reminder of his talent and his ability to compete at the highest level, and it will be exciting to see what he will achieve next on the tour.

Max Homa (2019)

Max Homa is an American professional golfer who won the Genesis Invitational golf tournament in 2021. This was his first victory on the PGA Tour and came as a surprise to many as he had not had much success in the past.

The Genesis Invitational, held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, is one of the most prestigious events on the PGA Tour and has a strong field of players. Homa, who is known for his powerful driving and consistent play, had a strong performance throughout the tournament and was able to hold off some of the top players in the world, including Tiger Woods and Tony Finau, to capture the victory.

Homa’s win was particularly notable as he had a long journey to get to the PGA Tour. He had to go through the Web.com Tour and then the Korn Ferry Tour before earning his PGA Tour card. He also had a few close calls in the past, but this win was the breakthrough he needed to establish himself as a top player on the tour.

The victory at the Genesis Invitational was a historic one for Homa, and it marked a turning point in his career. It also shows that hard work and perseverance can pay off. He’s now a major champion and will likely become a permanent fixture in the top-50 of the world rankings. This win also solidified him as a player to watch on the tour and many expect him to have more success in the future.

Matt Fitzpatrick (2020)

Matt Fitzpatrick is an English professional golfer who has had a successful career on the European Tour. He turned professional in 2013 and has since won 7 European Tour events, his most recent win being the Omega European Masters in 2020. He’s also a regular in the major championships, playing in all four of them every year since 2016, and has a best finish of T5 at the 2019 Masters.

Fitzpatrick is known for his steady and consistent play, and his ability to perform well in pressure situations. He has been a consistent performer on the European Tour and has been inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings for several years. He has also represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 2018 and captained the Great Britain and Ireland team in the 2019 Walker Cup.

Fitzpatrick’s success on the European Tour has earned him recognition and respect from fans and fellow players alike, and he is considered to be one of the best young players in the game. He’s also known for his calm and humble demeanor, and for his dedication to the sport, which is evident in his constant work on his game and his fitness. He’s a player that continues to improve and is likely to make an impact on the world stage.

Dustin Johnson (2021)

Dustin Johnson is an American professional golfer who has had a highly successful career on the PGA Tour. He has won 20 events on the tour, including one major championship, the U.S. Open in 2016. He has also been ranked World No. 1 for a total of 64 weeks and has been in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for over a decade.

Johnson is known for his powerful and athletic swing, and his ability to hit the ball long distances. He is also known for his consistency and his ability to perform well in pressure situations. He has been a regular on the U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, and has represented his country in the Olympics as well.

Johnson’s success on the PGA Tour has earned him recognition and respect from fans and fellow players alike, and he is considered to be one of the best players in the game today. He’s also known for his humble and easy-going personality. He has been a model of consistency throughout his career, and his achievements speak for themselves.

Johnson’s major win at the U.S Open 2016, was a significant moment in his career, and it solidified his status as one of the top players in the world. He continues to be a major force in the sport of golf, and he is likely to have more success in the future. He’s a player to watch in the upcoming years as he continues to chase more major titles and solidify his place among the all-time greats of the game.


  • Adam Scott
  • Arnold Palmer
  • Ben Hogan
  • Bubba Watson
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Genesis Invitational Winners
  • J.B. Holmes
  • Max Homa
  • PGA Tour
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Tiger Woods
  • Tom Watson

Updated January 22, 2023