BlogGenesis Invitational Preview and Picks

Genesis Invitational

February 15th – 18th, 2024

Riviera C.C.

Pacific Palisades, CA

Par: 71 / Yardage: 7,322

Purse: $20 million

with $4 million to the winner

Defending Champion:
Jon Rahm

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

The field includes 61 of the top 100 and 41 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings, with nine players from the top-ten: #1 Scottie Scheffler, #2 Rory McIlroy, #4 Viktor Hovland, #5 Xander Schauffele, #6 Wyndham Clark, #7 Patrick Cantlay, #8 Max Homa, #9 Matt Fitzpatrick, #10 Brian Harman.  Those not in the top-100 include #11 Ludvig Aberg, #12 Jordan Spieth, #13 Tommy Fleetwood, #14 Collin Morikawa, #15 Keegan Bradley, #17 Tom Kim, #18 Sam Burns, #19 Jason Day, #20 Sahith Theegala, #21 Justin Thomas, #22 Sepp Straka, #23 Cameron Young, #24 Tony Finau, #25 Chris Kirk, #28 Nick Taylor, #29 Russell Henley, #30 Rickie Fowler, #31 Sungjae Im, #32 Kurt Kitayama, #33 Nicolai Hojgaard, #34 Lucas Glover, #35 Emiliano Grillo, #37 Eric Cole, #38 J.T. Poston, #40 Harris English, #43 Denny McCarthy, #44 Byeong Hun An, #46 Si Woo Kim, #47 Corey Conners, #48 Adam Scott, #49 Adam Schenk, #50 Cam Davis, #51 Grayson Murray, #52 Adam Hadwin, #54 Will Zalatoris, #55 Hideki Matsuyama, #56 Tom Hoge, #57 Christiaan Bezuidenhout, #59 Taylor Moore, #61 Brendon Todd, #62 Andrew Putnam, #65 Beau Hossler, #66 Adam Svensson, #69 Matt Kuchar, #70 Nick Dunlap, #71 Lee Hodges, #76 Mackenzie Hughes, #84 Patrick Rodgers, #85 Taylor Montgomery, #91 Ben Griffin, #96 Luke List, and #98 Alex Smalley.

Last year, there were 39 top 50 players in the field.

The field includes 21 players in the top 25 on this year’s FedEx point standings. #2 Chris Kirk, #3 Wyndham Clark, #4 Scottie Scheffler, #5 Byeong Hun An, #6 Nick Taylor, #7 Sahith Theegala, #8 Ludvig Åberg, #10 J.T. Poston, #11 Jordan Spieth, #12 Sam Burns, #13 Justin Thomas, #14 Jason Day, #15 Keegan Bradley, #16 Christiaan Bezuidenhout, #17 Xander Schauffele, #20 Collin Morikawa, #21 Tom Hoge, #22 Eric Cole, #23 Nicolai Højgaard, #24 Patrick Cantlay, and #25 Charley Hoffman.

Those not playing include #1 Matthieu Pavon, #9 Grayson Murray, #18 Thomas Detry, and #19 Mark Hubbard.

The field includes just 2 past champions: Max Homa (2021) and Adam Scott (2020 & ’05).

A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Genesis field is our performance chart listed by average finish.  Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Genesis in the last five years, or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Genesis.

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the Genesis Invitational

Player Phoenix Open AT&T Pebble Farmers Insur. American Express Dubai Desert Sony Hawaii Dubai Invit. The Sentry Hero World Australian Open Australian PGA DP World Tour RSM Classic
Scottie Scheffler
(262.67 pts)
T3
(90)
T6
(60)
DNP T17
(22)
DNP DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
Win
(44)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Nicolai Hojgaard
(238.33 pts)
DNP T31
(19)
2
(100)
DNP T7
(36.67)
DNP T25
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP Win
(66)
DNP
Ludvig Aberg
(204.33 pts)
DNP 2
(100)
T9
(45)
DNP DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP T47
(2)
DNP DNP DNP DNP Win
(44)
Tommy Fleetwood
(193 pts)
DNP T31
(19)
DNP DNP T14
(24)
DNP Win
(88)
T47
(2)
20
(10)
DNP DNP T2
(50)
DNP
Sam Burns
(192.67 pts)
T3
(90)
10
(40)
DNP T6
(40)
DNP DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
16
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Justin Thomas
(188 pts)
T12
(38)
T6
(60)
DNP T3
(60)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 3
(30)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Wyndham Clark
(172.67 pts)
T41
(9)
Win
(132)
DNP T39
(7.33)
DNP DNP DNP T29
(14)
19
(10.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Rory McIlroy
(168.67 pts)
DNP T66
(0)
DNP DNP Win
(88)
DNP T2
(66.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T22
(14)
DNP
Adam Scott
(163.33 pts)
T8
(50)
T20
(30)
DNP DNP T7
(36.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T4
(26.67)
6
(20)
DNP DNP
Nick Taylor
(162 pts)
Win
(132)
T71
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T7
(36.67)
DNP T52
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Sahith Theegala
(160 pts)
5
(70)
T20
(30)
T64
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP 2
(66.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Xander Schauffele
(158.33 pts)
DNP T54
(0)
T9
(45)
T3
(60)
DNP DNP DNP T10
(26.67)
4
(26.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Jordan Spieth
(151 pts)
T6
(60)
T39
(11)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 3
(60)
6
(20)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Chris Kirk
(142.67 pts)
DNP T26
(24)
DNP T47
(2)
DNP T18
(21.33)
DNP Win
(88)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T28
(7.33)
Byeong Hun An
(139 pts)
T66
(0)
T31
(19)
DNP DNP DNP T2
(66.67)
DNP 4
(53.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Cameron Young
(137 pts)
T8
(50)
70
(0)
DNP DNP 3
(60)
DNP DNP T33
(11.33)
15
(11.67)
DNP DNP DNP T38
(4)
Emiliano Grillo
(135.33 pts)
T22
(28)
T14
(36)
T20
(30)
DNP DNP T7
(36.67)
DNP T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
J.T. Poston
(134.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T20
(30)
DNP T11
(26)
DNP 6
(40)
DNP T5
(46.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T44
(2)
Keegan Bradley
(128.33 pts)
DNP T11
(39)
T43
(7)
DNP DNP T2
(66.67)
DNP T45
(3.33)
T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Eric Cole
(125 pts)
T49
(1)
T14
(36)
CUT
(-10)
T21
(19.33)
DNP T13
(24.67)
DNP T14
(24)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T3
(30)
Tom Hoge
(116.33 pts)
T17
(33)
T6
(60)
T56
(0)
T17
(22)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T38
(8)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tony Finau
(114.33 pts)
DNP T47
(3)
T6
(60)
T25
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP T38
(8)
T4
(26.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Si Woo Kim
(112.67 pts)
T12
(38)
T14
(36)
DNP T25
(16.67)
DNP T42
(5.33)
DNP T25
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T71
(0)
Charley Hoffman
(111 pts)
2
(100)
DNP T56
(0)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T42
(5.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
(108.67 pts)
T28
(22)
T20
(30)
CUT
(-10)
2
(66.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Beau Hossler
(107 pts)
T41
(9)
T14
(36)
T6
(60)
T47
(2)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Taylor Montgomery
(100.33 pts)
T39
(11)
T39
(11)
T13
(37)
61
(0)
DNP T13
(24.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T8
(16.67)
Jason Day
(100.33 pts)
DNP T6
(60)
CUT
(-10)
T34
(10.67)
DNP DNP DNP T10
(26.67)
11
(13)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Kevin Yu
(100 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T58
(0)
T6
(60)
T3
(60)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Patrick Rodgers
(97.67 pts)
DNP 79
(0)
T9
(45)
DNP DNP T24
(17.33)
DNP T14
(24)
DNP 16
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP
Denny McCarthy
(97.33 pts)
T22
(28)
T26
(24)
DNP DNP DNP T24
(17.33)
DNP T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T5
(23.33)
Kurt Kitayama
(92.33 pts)
T8
(50)
T39
(11)
DNP DNP DNP T24
(17.33)
DNP T29
(14)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Harris English
(91 pts)
T17
(33)
76
(0)
T64
(0)
DNP DNP T10
(26.67)
DNP T14
(24)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T28
(7.33)
Collin Morikawa
(91 pts)
DNP T14
(36)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
7
(18.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Matt Fitzpatrick
(90.5 pts)
T15
(35)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T14
(24)
T4
(26.67)
DNP DNP T27
(11.5)
DNP
Nick Dunlap
(88 pts)
DNP 80
(0)
DNP Win
(88)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Brian Harman
(86.67 pts)
T60
(0)
T54
(0)
DNP DNP T70
(0)
T18
(21.33)
DNP T5
(46.67)
T8
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP T44
(2)
Sepp Straka
(86.67 pts)
DNP T26
(24)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T12
(25.33)
2
(33.33)
DNP DNP T22
(14)
DNP
Viktor Hovland
(82 pts)
DNP T58
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T22
(18.67)
10
(13.33)
DNP DNP T2
(50)
DNP
Tom Kim
(79.5 pts)
T17
(33)
T31
(19)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP T45
(3.33)
T10
(13.33)
DNP DNP T15
(17.5)
DNP
Adam Schenk
(78.67 pts)
T17
(33)
T47
(3)
T25
(25)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP T29
(14)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T19
(10.33)
Hideki Matsuyama
(78.33 pts)
T22
(28)
T71
(0)
T13
(37)
DNP DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP 58
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Ben Griffin
(72 pts)
T28
(22)
T58
(0)
CUT
(-10)
T9
(30)
DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T8
(16.67)
Sungjae Im
(70 pts)
T66
(0)
T66
(0)
CUT
(-10)
T25
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP T5
(46.67)
T8
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Grayson Murray
(68 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T66
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP Win
(88)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Corey Conners
(65.67 pts)
T28
(22)
T31
(19)
DNP DNP DNP T57
(0)
DNP T33
(11.33)
16
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP T44
(2)
Russell Henley
(65.67 pts)
DNP T58
(0)
DNP DNP DNP T4
(53.33)
DNP T52
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
Patrick Cantlay
(64.33 pts)
DNP T11
(39)
T56
(0)
T52
(0)
DNP DNP DNP T12
(25.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Max Homa
(63.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T66
(0)
T13
(37)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T14
(24)
T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Brendon Todd
(60 pts)
T22
(28)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T28
(7.33)
Adam Hadwin
(58.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T39
(11)
DNP T6
(40)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T14
(24)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Cam Davis
(57.67 pts)
DNP T20
(30)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T30
(13.33)
DNP T52
(0)
DNP T42
(2.67)
T7
(18.33)
DNP DNP
Will Zalatoris
(51 pts)
DNP DNP T13
(37)
T34
(10.67)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP 20
(10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Mackenzie Hughes
(50 pts)
DNP T71
(0)
T64
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T25
(16.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 2
(33.33)
Luke List
(44 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T26
(24)
T50
(1)
DNP DNP T66
(0)
DNP T22
(18.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T19
(10.33)

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Genesis Invitational

Player Phoenix Open AT&T Pebble Farmers Insur. American Express Dubai Desert Sony Hawaii Dubai Invit. The Sentry Hero World Australian Open Australian PGA DP World Tour RSM Classic
Lee Hodges
(-26.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T58
(0)
CUT
(-10)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP 57
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Gary Woodland
(-26.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
J.J. Spaun
(-14.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T54
(0)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
Matt Kuchar
(-12.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T39
(11)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T53
(0)
Rickie Fowler
(-2.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T47
(3)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP 56
(0)
17
(11)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Alex Smalley
(4.67 pts)
DNP 75
(0)
CUT
(-10)
T21
(19.33)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T44
(2)
Seamus Power
(9.67 pts)
T66
(0)
T31
(19)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP T74
(0)
DNP T50
(0.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tiger Woods
(10.67 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 18
(10.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP
Sam Ryder
(11.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
T31
(19)
CUT
(-10)
T62
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
Lucas Glover
(20 pts)
DNP T58
(0)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T29
(14)
12
(12.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz:

So, the seven-week west coast swing ends this week at the Genesis Invitational, a signature event. This is the final Signature Event where those who finished inside the Aon Next 10 via their standings in the FedExCup Fall earned a spot in the field. The Aon Next 10 is comprised of Nos. 51-60 in 2023’s final FedExCup Fall standings and will reset at next week’s Mexico Open. For the next Signature Event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Aon Next 10 will comprise the top 10 players in the 2024 FedExCup standings who still need to be exempt for the field.

After this week, the Tour moves down to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. After next week, the Tour moves east to spend time on courses in Florida and Texas as players prepare for the Masters. In the next nine weeks, there will be the Players Championship, plus another signature event at the Arnold Palmer. All the courses will be in great shape with Bermuda greens, and some players will love to say goodbye to Poa Annua greens and new challenges. As we bid farewell to the West Coast, we will see if players who have done well over the last six weeks will continue to play well. This is the most unusual West Coast swing because we haven’t had a favorite win. In 2023, Jon Rahm won three West Coast events, with Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa, and Justin Rose also winning. Si Woo Kim won the Sony, and of all the winners, he was one you couldn’t consider a favorite, along with maybe Justin Rose.

Of course, many wonder how this has happened. It’s all part of the overall problem with LIV golf. As we have said before, on paper, the PGA Tour has not been hurt by all the players who have gone to LIV golf. People are still attending golf tournaments; networks are still showing golf tournaments, and a new winner is crowned each week. But let’s look at some of the players that are a part of LIV golf. Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Joaquin Niemann, Patrick Reed, Charles Howell III, Bubba Watson, Hudson Swafford, Sergio Garcia, and Phil Mickelson have all won on the West Coast swing. They could have been winners if they were still playing on the PGA Tour this year. Look at the two winners this year on LIV Golf. Niemann and Johnson have won and could have easily won this year on the West Coast. So yes, we can’t say for sure, but if these players were still on the PGA Tour, the outcome of the first six events could have been drastically different.

In looking at the winners in 2024, all of them have yet to maximize winning. Chris Kirk won at the Sentry, but in three other starts, his best finish was T-18th at the Sony Open. Grayson Murray won the Sony, but in three starts after missing the cut twice and was T-66th at Pebble. Amateur Nick Dunlap won the American Express and turned pro. In his only start since he was dead last, 80th, at Pebble. Now we can say that Matthieu Pavon has played the best of all the winners. He was T-7th at the Sony and T-39th at the American Express. After winning the Farmers, he was 3rd at Pebble. Wyndham Clark got very lucky as he shot a third-round 60 and went from T-23rd to leading. He lucked out as the weather was terrible and was declared the winner after 54 holes. He could have played better in his other 2024 events; he was T-29th at the Sentry, T-39th at the American Express, and T-41st last week in Phoenix. As for last week’s winner Nick Taylor, he was T-52nd at the Sentry, T-7th at the Sony, missed the cut at the American Express, and was T-71st at Pebble. It’s safe to say that we won’t see any of these winners in 2024 win this week at Riviera.

This week is a loaded field with a 20 million dollar purse, with $4 million going to the winner. There are only 70 players in the field, and there will be a 36-hole cut, with the top 50 playing over the weekend. Unfortunately, the top player of the year, Matthieu Pavon, decided to pass up last week in Phoenix and this week at the Genesis. He had to change his calendar completely with his newfound fortune after winning the Farmers. He wanted to work with his putting coach and felt he needed family time to recharge the batteries. He played at the Sony, finishing T-7th. After a T-39th at the Amex, he won the Farmers and finished 3rd at Pebble. So he played in four straight, and it will be interesting to see if he shows up in Mexico next week; he has yet to reveal his plans.

One favorite who has played well in 2024 is Scottie Scheffler. He was T-5th at the Sentry, T-17th at the American Express, T-6th at Pebble, and T-3rd last week in Phoenix. Again, his game has been close to flawless from tee to green. He is 1st in Greens in Regulation, 1st in Strokes Gained tee-to-green, and 2nd in Strokes Gained Approach the Green. For the year, he is 3rd in Strokes Gained total. But again, around and on the green, he struggles. In Strokes Gained Around the Green, he is 103rd, and in Strokes Gained Putting, he is 107th. In putting inside ten feet, he has made 158 putts on 188 attempts and ranks 164th on Tour. He also struggles in putts between four and eight feet, making 29 of 46 to rank 123rd. Yes, Scottie leads in birdie average, par breakers, and scoring average, but still, he gets close but can’t get that win. Will that change as the Tour moves east? We think so, but we must wonder about his overall mental outlook as he still struggles with his putter.

Scheffler is one of many favorites with putting problems this year. How about Rickie Fowler, who ranks 175th out of 187 players in Strokes Gained Putting. After a slump of a couple of years, we thought that Rickie was back after winning the Rocket Mortgage over the summer. But his game has been terrible since, and in 2004, he missed two cuts in four starts with a best finish of T-47th at Pebble. Tony Finau, who won in Mexico last year, ranks 169th in Strokes Gained Putting. Sure, he was T-6th at the Farmers, but his next best finish in four starts is T-25th at the American Express. Others are struggling; Matt Kuchar has only made one cut in four starts. Tom Kim only has one top-30 finish in four starts, T-17th at the Phoenix Open. The biggest disappointment has to be Max Homa, who has been the West Coast swing player and, this year, has struggled. He has progressively gotten worse, finishing T-66th at Pebble and missing the cut in Phoenix. I have very little faith in him this week at the Genesis, an event he has won in past years.

Who could surprise us this week?

But there is good news: going into this week, you have to like Ludvig Aberg; he was T-9th at the Farmers and 2nd at Pebble. Riviera is perfect for his game, and I like him a lot this week. Also, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are playing well, along with Jason Day and Thomas Detry.

He’s back

Yes, Tiger Woods is making his first PGA Tour start since the Masters. Tiger withdrew and had surgery, but he seems to be in good form coming into this week. The big question is, do we dare to bet on him? You can never count him out, but I’m sorry, I don’t see Tiger winning again on the PGA Tour. We have seen this before: Ben Hogan was 46 when he won for the last time at the 1959 Colonial. The following year, at the 1960 U.S. Open, at the same age as Tiger, Hogan was tied for the lead on the 71st tee, a par 5. On his third shot, he hit a wedge onto the green, but it spun back off the green into the confines of the water hazard fronting the green and made a bogey. Needing a birdie to tie on 18, he again found water, triple-bogeyed, and finished in a T-9th. The point is we never know what can happen. Yes, the odds of Tiger playing well are great, but you can never count him out.

Things you need to know about Riviera and the Genesis Open

Riviera C.C. has held a U.S. Open, two PGA Championships. a Senior Open, and the U.S. Amateur.  No other stop on the PGA Tour can claim the distinction of holding those three majors and the highest Amateur championship in golf. Of the 54 courses that will hold a PGA Tour event this year, Riviera, Pebble Beach, and Oak Hill are the only ones that have hosted both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship.

In the history of this tournament, 74 different champions, 51 of the 97 winners have also won a major championship.  Going a step further, 37 of the 61 winners at Riviera have also won a major championship. Of those 37, 23 have also won the Masters, so there is a link between winners at both Augusta National and Riviera.

Taking a step further, in tournaments going back to 1925, more Hall of Fame members have won at the Genesis than any other tournament.  The Genesis has been won 40 times by 26 different Hall of Fame members; the closest to it is the BMW Open, which has been won 37 times by 22 different Hall of Fame players.  As you can see, this event has an excellent track record for producing first-class champions.

One last thing to look for is the close finish.  There have been 19 playoffs at the tournament, with eight coming since 1998, including wins by Billy Mayfair (1998), Robert Allenby (2001), Mike Weir (2003), Adam Scott (2005), and Charles Howell III (2007), Bill Haas (2012), John Merrick (2013) and James Hahn (2015). Dating back to 1989, the tournament ended either in a playoff (9 times) or with a one-stroke win (10 times).  So out of the last 32 times, the event has been played – 19 have been won by a playoff or a shot. But we have now seen four years of rarities in the last five years.  In 2017 when Dustin Johnson lapped the field, winning by five shots, and in 2018 when Bubba Watson beat Tony Finau and Kevin Na by two shots. J.B. Holmes beat Justin Thomas by just a shot in 2019. In 2021 Adam Scott beat Matt Kuchar, Sung Kang, and Scott Brown by two shots, the same as Joaquin Niemann in 2022 as he beat Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young by two shots.

Course information:
  • Riviera Country Club
  • Pacific Palisades, Calif.
  • 7,322 yards     Par 35-36–71

The course has a 74.3 rating and a slope rating of 139 from the championship tees. Riviera is a private club.

Last year, Riviera was the 17th hardest course on tour, with a 71.07 average. In 2022, it was the 21st hardest course on tour, with a 70.46 average. In 2021, it was the 17th hardest course on tour, with a 71.27 scoring average. It was the 10th hardest course on the PGA Tour the year before, with a 71.26 average. In 2019, it was also the 10th hardest course on the PGA Tour, with a 71.20 scoring average. In 20018, Riviera was the 9th hardest course with a 71.76 average. In 2017, it was the 23rd hardest course, with a 71.01 average. In 2016, Riviera was the 21st hardest course on the PGA Tour, with a 71.02 average. In 2015, Riviera was the 5th hardest course on the PGA Tour, playing to a 72.59 average, while in 2014, Riviera was the 24th hardest course, playing to a 71.209 average while in 2013, Riviera was the 13th hardest course on the PGA Tour, playing to a 71.85 average.

Riviera was designed by George Thomas with some help from William Bell and opened in 1927. In 2001, Riviera brought in architect Tom Fazio to improve the course for a bid to host the 2008 U.S. Open, which ended up going to Torrey Pines. Fazio did lengthen several holes, enlarge some of the greens, and restore five of the holes to their original design before a flood forced them to be changed. Riviera also saw a significant renovation in 1993 when Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore renovated the greens. Four years ago, the course had all of its bunkers restored.

In the summer of 2009, Riviera Country Club completed phase II of the restoration of hole #8, directed by Fazio Golf Course Designers. The modifications intended to restore the 1926 original design intent of George Thomas’ “Double Fairway built around a dry wash.” In 1939, the original design intent was lost to a strong flood that scoured the “dry wash” along with the right fairway. Phase I of the restoration, in 2000, involved restoring the right fairway. Phase II included restoring the dry wash barranca, thus cutting the fairway into two parts.

The average green size at the Riviera is 5,000 square feet, slightly under the PGA Tour average. The course has 57 bunkers and no water hazards, but a dry barranca comes into play for the pros on six holes.

History of Riviera:

Riviera Country Club is one of golf’s most intriguing clubs.

In 1922, Frank Garbutt, vice president of the downtown Los Angeles Athletic Club, was looking for a golf course site for the club. He found a piece of property in the Santa Monica Canyon,  about two miles from the Pacific Ocean. Garbutt knew he had found the perfect site as he stood on an 80-foot bluff overlooking the canyon, where Riviera’s clubhouse stands today.

Garbutt hired George Thomas to design the course, but when the noted architect made his first site inspection, he didn’t share Garbutt’s opinion. Thomas wasn’t impressed with the property and told Garbutt that any course built on the site would cost the club a bundle. Garbutt told Thomas to create the best course in the world at any cost.

Thomas brought in 200 men to clear the canyon. He installed a state-of-the-art irrigation system and hauled 19,000 pounds of grass seed and topsoil from the San Fernando Valley. When the course was finished in 1927, it cost $675,000, giving it the distinction of being the most expensive course ever built. That didn’t include the architect’s fee because Thomas, a wealthy man who dabbled in course architecture, never charged a dime for his work.

The bottom line is that Thomas built what many considered the best course in the West. In 1939, when the National Golf Foundation named the ten best courses in America, Riviera placed third behind Pine Valley and Pinehurst No. 2.  Seventy years later, it still ranks among the best in various course ratings and opinion polls.

Riviera gained fame as the club of choice for movie stars. Among them were Douglas Fairbanks (who put up $1,000 of the $10,000 prize fund for the first Los Angeles Open), W.C. Fields, Basil Rathbone, Dean  Martin, Burt Lancaster, and Sammy Davis Jr. In the 70s, the membership included Glen Campbell, Peter Falk, James Garner, and Robert Wagner. Scenes from several movies were shot at Riviera, including “Pat and Mike,” “The Caddy,” and “Follow the Sun.”

Today, those familiar with Riviera as a PGA Tour stop also recognize the course with the Kikuyu grass and a bunker in the middle of the green.

Kikuyu is a robust and sturdy grass strain imported from Africa more than 70 years ago for use on polo grounds. When Riviera opened, polo was popular in L.A. There were several polo grounds in the neighborhood. There are many stories about how Kikuyu appeared at Riviera. Still, the tale most often told is that a windstorm carried the Kikuyu seed onto Riviera one night after a local polo field was seeded. Since Kikuyu grass is essentially a weed, it increased. The course superintendent ignored its encroachment, and before he knew it, Riviera had been taken over by Kikuyu.

Instead of resisting its growth, Riviera learned how to perfect Kikuyu. Today, it blankets the course, making a pitch and run shots nearly impossible because the thick grass grabs the club head. Many believe Kikuyu is the finest form of grass to play off fairways because the ball sits up, regardless of the lie.

Riviera’s other unique feature is the sixth hole, a 170-yard par 3 that features a bunker in the middle of the green, making the putting surface into a doughnut shape. If a player’s tee shot lands on the wrong side of the bunker, he must chip over the sand or take several putts around it. For the average player, option No. 1 means taking a divot out of the green.

Riviera has held several major championships. The 1948 U.S. Open was the first and won by Ben Hogan, who shot 8-under-par  276, an Open scoring record that stood until Jack Nicklaus posted a 5-under-par 275 in 1967 at Baltusrol.

In 1983, the PGA Championship was held at Riviera and won by Hal Sutton. The PGA returned in 1995, with Steve Elkington beating Colin Montgomerie in a playoff. Both shot 267, which remains the record for any major championship.

Riviera hosted a Senior Tour major in 1998 when Hale Irwin rebounded from a first-round 77 and claimed the title.

Unfortunately, the odds of Riviera holding another major are slim, even though it did hold the U.S. Amateur championship in 2017. Now, the course will host the Olympics in 2028. The course is regarded as one of the gems on the PGA Tour. Still, traffic could be better, and the congested neighborhood offers limited options for parking, hospitality, and merchandise tents. Still, for the pros, it’s a special treat, for most of them, once a year.

Major Championships held at Riviera:
  • 1948 U.S. Open won by Ben Hogan
  • 1983 PGA Championship won by Hal Sutton
  • 1995 PGA Championship won by Steve Elkington
  • 1998 U.S. Senior Open won by Hale Irwin
  • 2017 U.S. Amateur won by Doc Redman

Let’s take a look at vital stats that are important for those playing on the Riviera:

This is based on Riviera’s most important stats, based on data from last year’s Genesis Invitational, and using data from all the players in the field with stats from 2023.
The scoring average of Riviera’s field last year was 71.07, and it ranked 17th hardest on Tour out of 58 courses.

The field’s scoring average on TPC Scottsdale last year was 70.98, which is just about par. The course was the 18th hardest on the PGA Tour in 2023 out of 58 courses.
Here is a look at the scoring average of the WM Phoenix Open winners for the last few years:
2022 – The average was 70.46, and it was the 21st hardest of the 50 courses that year
2021 – The average was 71.27, the 17th hardest of the 51 courses that year
2020 – Average was 71.26, was 10th hardest of 41 courses that year
2019 – Average was 71.20, was 10th hardest of 49 courses that year
It’s impressive how close each of the year’s scoring averages is. Now, what controls this is the weather. Of course, when one thinks of a tournament being played in Los Angeles, one thinks of great weather and nothing but sunshine. Many people believe that all the pros wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare, but that’s not the case. Riviera is located in Pacific Palisades, just outside of Los Angeles, and the course is on top of a hill about a mile from the Pacific Ocean. So, during the day, it could be 85 degrees 15 miles away in Downtown Los Angeles but only 65 at Riviera. The weather can be vulnerable despite what you may think of Los Angeles in mid-February. In 2020, the weather couldn’t be better. The same was true in 2022 and ’23; the weather was perfect, thus low scores. But in 2021, on Saturday, inclement weather, including winds up to 35 mph, played havoc. Still, things were good the rest of the time, so the scoring average was around par. But in 2019, when the scoring average was 71.20 (ranked 10th), it was rainy the first two days as all four days it never got warmer than 62, and over the weekend, the winds blew between 10 and 25 mph. Same with 2018, when the scoring average was 71.76, the course ranked 9th hardest. Now, it doesn’t have to rain to make it play tough. In 2015, the course played hard; the average was 72.59 (ranked 5th hardest course for the year) as the course was dry and fast, with high winds during the tournament playing havoc for the players.
The good news after two weeks of solid rain affected both Pebble and Phoenix this year, just like at Torrey Pines for the Farmers, the weather at Riviera is going to be ok a bit cold with temperatures in the low 60s and winds in the ten mph range, with partly sunny skies all four days and no chance of rain. Now, the practice rounds will have rain, but that should clear out by Thursday. The one thing that this doesn’t help is short hitters, as the ball won’t fly as long.

Our first category is Strokes Gained tee-to-green, which considers distance and accuracy off the tee and greens hit. Driving and greens hit are essential in looking at the stats for Riviera over the last couple of years. Every year, greens hit, and driving accuracy is critical and key to playing the course well. The course ranked 2nd in greens hit last year, 6th in Greens in Regulation in 2022, and 2nd in greens hit in 2021, which is the norm for any year of perfect weather. In 2020, it ranked 2nd; in 2019, it ranked 10th; while in 2018, it ranked 1st.
In driving accuracy, the course was 10th last year, 5th in 2022, 2nd in 2021, 4th in 2020, 12th in 2019, and 5th in 2018. So, the combination of hitting fairways and greens is essential.
Last year, tournament winner Jon Rahm ranked 12th in driving distance, averaging 302.1 yards per drive, was 63rd in Fairways hit and T-2nd in greens hit. In strokes gained Tee-to-Green, Rahm was 3rd, and in Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee, he was 28th.

Here is a look at the driving distance, accuracy, and greens hit for the Genesis Invitational winners in the last few years:
2022 – The course ranked 25th in driving distance with an average drive of 296.7 yards (out of 50 courses), 5th in driving accuracy, and 6th in Greens in Regulation.
Winner Joaquin Niemann was 6th in driving distance, averaging 303.4 yards per drive, 58th in accuracy, hitting 25 of 54 fairways, and T-14th in Greens in Regulation, hitting 47 of 72 greens. Between the three stats, he ranked 1st in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green.
2021 – The course ranked 29th in driving distance with an average drive of 294.5 yards (out of 51 courses), 2nd in driving accuracy, and 3rd in Greens in Regulation.
Winner Max Homa was T-26th in driving distance, averaging 296.7 yards per drive, T-3rd in accuracy, hitting 32 of 54 fairways, and T-5th in Greens in Regulation, hitting 45 of 72 greens. Between the three stats, he ranked 3rd in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green.
2020 – The course ranked 19th in driving distance with an average drive of 291.1 yards (out of 41 courses), 4th in driving accuracy, and 2nd in Greens in Regulation.
Winner Adam Scott was 8th in driving distance, averaging 300.9 yards per drive, T-63rd in accuracy, hitting 23 of 54 fairways, and 1st in Greens in Regulation, hitting 52 of 72 greens. Between the three stats, he ranked 3rd in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green.
2019 – The course ranked 9th in driving distance with an average drive of 278.3 yards (out of 49 courses), 12th in driving accuracy, and 10th in Greens in Regulation.
Winner J.B. Holmes was 9th in driving distance, averaging 287.1 yards per drive, T-59th in accuracy, hitting 29 of 54 fairways, and T-2nd in Greens in Regulation, hitting 52 of 72 greens. Between the three stats, he ranked 11th in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green.

Our second stat is Greens in Regulation. A critical thing for Riviera is getting the ball close from the fairway. In looking at the winners at Riviera, greens hit is something all the winners have in common. Since 2000, 18 of the 24 have been in the top 11, while nine of the 24 have been in the top three. Also, in the last eight years, seven of the eight have finished in the top-7 in Greens in regulation.
Last year, Riviera ranked 2nd out of 58 courses in Greens in Regulation as the field hit 754.954% of the greens. Last year’s winner, Jon Rahm, hit 51 of 72 greens (70.83%) and ranked T-2nd.

Here is a look at the Greens in Regulation of the Genesis invitational for the last few years:
2022 – Greens in Regulation was 58.81%, and was the 6th hardest of the 50 courses that year
Winner Joaquin Niemann hit 47 of 72 greens (65.28%) and ranked T-24th.
2021 – Greens in Regulation was 54.17% and was the 3rd hardest of the 51 courses that year
Winner Max Homa hit 45 of 72 greens (62.50%) and ranked T-5th.
2020 – Greens in Regulation was 56.18%, and was the 2nd hardest of the 41 courses that year
Winner Adam Scott hit 52 of 72 greens (72.22%) and ranked 1st.
2019 – Greens in Regulation was 61.06%, and was the 10th hardest of the 49 courses that year
Winner J.B. Holmes hit 52 of 72 greens (72.22%) and ranked T-2nd.
Again, I can’t stress how important it is to hit many greens.

Putting also showed that you have to putt well. This is because Riviera has probably the most problematic greens for players to putt on. With Poa Annua and close to the ocean, the greens, along with Pebble Beach two weeks ago, are some of the bumpiest on Tour. That is why the course ranked 4th last year on the PGA Tour, 6th in 2022, and 5th in 2021 in putting inside ten feet. In 2020, it ranked 3rd; in 2019, it ranked 2nd; in 2018, it ranked 4th in putting; while in 2017, it was 7th; it was 2nd in 2016 and 3rd in 2015. Last year, it ranked 4th in putting from 4 to 8 feet on the PGA Tour, 7th in 2022, 3rd in 2021, and 2nd in 2020. In 2019, it ranked 3rd, 6th in 2018, 4th in 2017, 2nd in 2016, and 1st in 2015. Putting is probably the 3rd most crucial stat for the players.

Here is a look at the Putting Inside Ten Feet of the Genesis Invitational winners for the last few years:
2023 – For those putting inside ten feet, 86.44% of the putts were made, as it was the 4th hardest of the 41 courses that tracked putts for the year.
Winner Jon Rahm made 60 of 66 putts inside ten feet (90.91%) and ranked 16th.
2022 – For those putting inside ten feet, 86.92% of the putts were made, which was the 6th hardest of the 36 courses that tracked putts for the year.
Winner Joaquin Niemann made 62 of 69 putts inside ten feet (89.86%) and ranked 23rd.
2021 – For those putting inside ten feet, 86.14% of the putts were made, which was the 5th hardest of the 39 courses that tracked putts for the year.
Winner Max Homa hit 45 of 72 greens (62.50%) and ranked T-5th.
2020 – 85.10% of the putts were made for those putting inside ten feet, as it was the 3rd hardest of the 29 courses that tracked putts for the year.
Winner Adam Scott made 62 of 74 putts inside ten feet (83.78%) and ranked 61st.
2019 – 85.33% of the putts were made for those putting inside ten feet, as it was the 2nd hardest of the 35 courses that tracked putts for the year.
Winner J.B. Holmes made 61 of 68 putts inside ten feet (89.71%) and ranked 10th.
Yes, it’s tough making putts inside ten feet at Riviera.

Our last category is par five scoring. Riviera has three par 5s. one at 503 yards (the first), another at 583 yards (the 11th), and the 17th hole that plays at 590 yards. All three do play downwind and are scored why under par. So we can see how the last five champions have done on the par 5:
2023 – Jon Rahm played them in 10 under
2022 – Joaquin Niemann played then in 10 under
2021 – Max Homa played them in 11 under
2020 – Adam Scott played them in 5 under
2021 – J.B. Holmes played them in 3 under.

So, how did Riviera play on the par 5s in the last five years:
2023 – Course played to a 4.57 average and ranked T-38th out of 58 courses tracked
2022 – Course played to a 4.44 average and ranked T-46th out of 50 courses tracked
2021 – Course played to a 4.56 average and ranked T-38th out of 51 courses tracked
2020 – Course played to a 4.56 average and ranked 32nd out of 41 courses tracked
2019 – Course played to a 4.59 average and ranked T-29th out of 49 courses tracked

So what was the secret of the last six winners, and how they won?

So how did the winner Jon Rahm do last year, and what was the key to him winning? He only hit a few fairways, only 23, the lowest of any winner going back to 1997. He hit 51 of 72 greens, which ranked T-2nd, which helped him finish 1st in Strokes Gained Approach the Green. He was also 1st in Strokes Gained Total and 3rd in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green. He won by two shots over Jon Rahm, but the key for Rahm was playing the last six holes in two under with birdies at 14 and 16. Another key, Rahm, played the par 3s in 8 under, a remarkable mark considering that it was the lowest total of any winner going back to 1997. The closest to him was J.B. Holmes, who played the par 3s in 6 under in 2019. On top of that, Rahm played the par 5s in 10 under.

So how did the winner, Joaquin Niemann, do in 2022? and what was the key to his winning? He only hit a few fairways, only 25, which is the lowest of any winner going back to 1997. He hit 47 of 72 greens, which ranked T-14th, and despite these poor stats, he was 1st in Strokes Gained Approach the Green and 2nd in Strokes Gained Around the Green. It makes sense that Niemann was 10th in Scrambling and had the lowest amount of putts with 102. He was 7 under on the par 4s and 10 under on the par 5s. But the big key for Niemann was shooting 63 in the first and second rounds for a two-shot lead and just holding on with a 68-71 finish.

So, how did the winner, Max Homa, do in 2021? It took a two-hole playoff for him to beat Tony Finau. He was a shot better than Sam Burns and three shots better than Cameron Smith, who finished 4th. So, how did Homa win? He was 2nd in Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee, 3rd in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green, 7th in Strokes Gained Putting, and 9th in Strokes Gained Around the Green. Homa hit a lot of fairways, 32 of 56 to rank 3rd and 45 of 72 greens to rank T-5th. Putting was good; yes, he was T-23rd in putting inside ten feet, but he was 1st in putting average. Now, the key for Homa was consistency; he made only 17 birdies to rank T-7th and only nine bogeys for the week. His final round 66 included five birdies, and he was one of three players (Viktor Hovland & Jim Furyk) to go bogey-free in the final round.

So how did 2020 winner Adam Scott do? He was two shots better than Matt Kuchar, Scott Brown, and Sung Kang and three shots better than Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Joel Dahmen, Max Homa, and Bryson DeChambeau. So, how did Scott win? He wasn’t as good as others have been off the tee as he hit only 23 of 56 fairways, which ranked T-63rd, but he hit 52 of 72 greens, which ranked 1st. In Proximity to the hole, he was T-18th and was T-33rd rough Proximity. This is the big reason Scott won; it wasn’t due to putting. In Strokes Gained Putting, he ranked 27th at Riviera. In putts from 4 to 8 feet, he ranked T-40th and was 51st in putts inside 10 feet. Scott was good in birdies, making 21 to lead that stat, and it translated to 2nd in Par Breakers.

So let’s see how 2019 champion J.B. Holmes won. He floundered off the tee, hitting 29 of 56 fairways, which ranked T-59th. But like Scott and Homa, he was good at hitting 52 greens to rank T-2nd. But the key for Holmes winning was his putter. He dispelled his reputation of not being a great putter when Holmes was 1st in Strokes Gained Putting for the week. In putting from 4 to 8 feet, he was 3rd; in the inside 10-foot range, he was 10th, making 61 of 68 putts.
So, let’s see how Bubba Watson won the Genesis in 2018. He was two shots better than Kevin Na and Tony Finau. So, how did Watson win? He was good from off the fairway; Watson was T-7th, hitting 46 of 72 greens, and was 9th in Proximity to the hole. He ranked T-27th in fairways hit. In Par Breakers, he was 1st making an eagle and 20 birdies. Talking about birdies on the three par 5s, he played them in 8 under par. Since 1997, only five champions have played the par 5s better.

64 of the 70 players from this year’s field with stats from last year:

SO HERE ARE OUR FOUR CHOICES FOR THE MOST CRITICAL STATS FROM PLAYERS TO DO WELL AT RIVIERA:

*Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green: A way to gauge how players save shots from tee to green. Important because Riviera is a “shot-makers” course, and those that are good from tee to green tend to do well at Riviera. Now, the rough isn’t harsh at Riviera, but hitting the 5,000-square-foot greens is tough.

*Greens in Regulation: It is important to see who hits the most greens at Riviera; since the greens are middle size, hitting them is important and is the reason for player success at Riviera.

*Putting inside 10 feet: In 2012 & ’15, Riviera had the most challenging greens to putt on for the year. In 2013, ’14, ’16, and ’19, they were the 2nd hardest on Tour. Last year it ranked 6th, while the year before, it ranked 5th. Players are sometimes puzzled by the greens, which get bumpy and very hard to read in the afternoon. So, making those putts is crucial in winning.

*Par 5 scoring average: Two of Riviera’s three par 5s are easy to get home in two and score well on. The longest of them is 17th, and most of the time is played downwind, thus making that hole a birdie hole. The winner will do well on the par 5s.

Click any column title in the table header to sort columns.

Here is the link back to see all the player’s stats for the Genesis Invitational

DraftKings tips

We have compiled a database beginning at the start of the 2023 season and going through the 2024 W.M. Phoenix Open, a total of 61 events. The database includes how many points a player won during the event and his cost. Out of the database, we can determine the total DraftKing points earned, the players’ average points earned per event, and average points based on the number of rounds played.

Of the players in the field, here are the top 57 playing in at least ten events:

It makes sense that this list’s top players will earn many points this week.

DraftKings Picks

*Here are the very costly guys:
  • Scottie Scheffler – $11,500
  • Rory McIlroy – $11,200
  • Xander Schauffele – $10,100
  • Viktor Hovland – $10,000
  • Max Homa – $9,800
  • Collin Morikawa – $9,500
  • Patrick Cantlay – $9,300
  • Ludvig Aberg – $9,200
  • Justin Thomas – $9,100
  • Jordan Spieth – $9,000

This is a great field this week at Genesis. It gives you many options. But one option you won’t have is taking two players over $10,000. That will make it even harder. A key that could help many good players in the 9,000 range, it’s possible to take three of them. Taking Schauffele, Hovland, and Homa will cost $29,900, leaving you with $20,100 or about $6,700 per your next three choices. Look at our list of those that make the most cuts at Genesis, and you will see a lot of great players under $7,600 that you can choose from that could surprise you. You can even go with Eric Cole at $7,700, Hideki Matsuyama at $7,400, Brian Harman at $7,300, or Kit Kitayama at $6,900; he finished T-8th last week at Phoenix.

Scottie Scheffler at $11,500 is a high price, but as we say, he earns a lot of points each week. Last week in Phoenix, his T-3rd finish earned him 123.5 points, so yes, he is worth the high cost. Last year, Scheffler finished T-12th at Riviera; the year before, he was T-7th, so how lucky do you feel about him winning? Rory McIlroy at $11,200, after playing well in 2019, finishing T-4th and 2020, finishing T-5th, has struggled to miss the cut in 2021, T-10th in 2022, and T-29th last year. So, take a pass on Rory this week. Xander Schauffele at $10,100 is also a tough choice; yes, in seven starts has three top-three finishes, but the best was T-4th in 2019. Can he win on this course? Yes, but the price is too high for this week. Viktor Hovland at $10,000 is a no. He has struggled this year, and despite finishing in the top 20 in all three of his starts, you can do better with someone cheaper. Max Homa, at $9,800, has the same problem, yes a good record in this event, but he needs to play better at the moment. Collin Morikawa at $9,500 is another tough call. I’m sorry his game isn’t together right now. As for Patrick Cantlay at $9,300, I can see him playing well and winning this week; the price is right. The same goes for Ludvig Aberg at $9,200; he is playing in the Genesis for the first time, but his game is sharp right now. Justin Thomas at $9,100 is also worth the price, and he has played well this year. He had putting problems in Phoenix last week, but he can find his stride and do well. The same goes for Jordan Spieth at $9,000. His game is good, but I am taking a pass on him because he needs to play better at Riviera lately.

*Players in that $7,500 to $8,900 price range, which ones are worth the money?:

Frankly, these are tough picks because there is no real sign that these players will do well. On paper, Tony Finau at $8,900. Tommy Fleetwood at $8,800, Sam Burns at $8,700, Sahith Theegala at $8,600, and Cameron Young at $8,500 should be good picks. But they have too much Jekyll and Hyde in them, and frankly, I am passing on all of these players. I do like Wyndham Clark at $8,300. He is returning to the place where he won the U.S. Open, and he has done okay at Riviera, so I will take him. Also, take Adam Scott at $8,200; he has a lot of great memories at Riviera and only missed the cut once in 16 visits; he will do well. Jason Day at $8,000 is perfect and should give you a significant return. Will Zalatoris at $7,900 be worth it? I see his game coming around on a course he has done well on. Also, like Eric Cole at $7,700, he has played well this year, and I can see him winning at Riviera. Byeong Hun An at $7,600 is an excellent price for a player who played well in 2024.

What are the “Bargains” out there?

Off the bat, you can’t go wrong with Hideki Matsuyama at $7,400. He will make the cut and earn you points. The course suits him, and he could be a big surprise. Christiaan Bezuidenhout at $6,700, is way undervalued, and this course could be perfect for his game. Tom Hoge at $6,700, is also an ideal pick; he is cheap and can do well on this course. I don’t know what to say about Tiger Woods at $6,500. Will he win? No. Will he finish in the top ten? No. But see him making the cut and making enough birdies to make him a good choice for the price.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the Genesis:

Key stat for the winner:

I find it very interesting that of all the courses on the PGA Tour year in and year out, Riviera has been in the top ten every year since they kept track in 2003 of making the least amount of putts from 10 feet and in.  The reason for that is the poa annua greens are very tricky to putt and late in the afternoon, get bumpy, which creates more challenges than ever.  So look for a player with lots of patience with the putter and who can overcome these obstacles.

So the stat shows that you have to make those pesky putts if you want to win, look at how it’s been done since 2003.

  • In 2023 players made 86.44%, which ranked 4th on tour.  Winner Jon Rahm made 87.339%, ranking T-37th.
  • In 2022 players made 86.92%, which ranked 6th on tour.  Winner Joaquin Niemann made 89.869%, ranking 23rd.
  • In 2021 players made 86.14%, which ranked 5th on tour.  Winner Max Homa made 88.89%, ranking T-23rd.
  • In 2020 players made 85.10%, which ranked 3rd on tour.  Winner Adam Scott made 83.787%, ranking 51st.
  • In 2019 players made 85.33%, which ranked 2nd on tour.  Winner J.B. Holmes made 89.717%, ranking 10th.
  • In 2018 players made 85.79%, which ranked 4th on tour.  Winner Bubba Watson made 87.67% ranking T-32nd.
  • In 2017 players made 86.20%, which ranked 7th on tour.  Winner Dustin Johnson made 92.54%, ranking 6th.
  • In 2016 players made 84.69%, which ranked 1st on tour.  Winner Bubba Watson made 91.67%, ranking T-5th.
  • In 2015 players made 85.15%, which ranked 1st on tour.  Winner James Hahn made 82.05% ranking 65th.
  • In 2014 players made 84.87%, which ranked 2nd on tour.  Winner Bubba Watson made 88.57%, ranking 18th
  • In 2013 players made 83.37%, which ranked 2nd on tour.  Winner John Merrick made 85.53%, ranking T-33rd
  • In 2012 players made 84.39%, which ranked 1st on tour.  Winner Bill Haas made 87.14%, ranking 22nd
  • In 2011 players made 84.84%, which ranked 1st on tour.  Winner Aaron Baddeley made 91.18%, ranking 6th
  • In 2010 players made 86.48%, which ranked 8th on tour.  Winner Steve Stricker made 84.51%, ranking 61st
  • In 2009 players made 85.67%, which ranked 7th on tour.  Winner Phil Mickelson made 87.84% ranking T-29th
  • In 2008 players made 85.08%, which ranked 5th on tour.  Winner Phil Mickelson made 91.55%, ranking 4th
  • In 2007 players made 85.35%, which ranked 6th on tour.  Winner Charles Howell made 91.78%, ranking 2nd
  • In 2006 players made 85.30%, which ranked 3rd on tour.  Winner Rory Sabbatini made 82.89%, ranking T-63rd
  • In 2005 players made 86.53%, which ranked 8th on tour.  Winner Adam Scott made 85.71%, ranking T-57th
  • In 2004 players made 85.04%, which ranked 4th on tour.  Winner Mike Weir made 93.75%, ranking 4th
  • In 2003 players made 84.90%, which ranked 1st on tour.  Winner Mike Weir made 85.71%, ranking T-38th
Here are some more key stats to look for this week:
Unbelievable and bizarre stat:

Riviera is a classic layout and a different breed than most courses on the PGA Tour. So you would think placing drives in the right spot is essential.  Consider some of the champions over the last 28 years:  Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Bill Haas, Steve Stricker, Charles Howell III, Rory Sabbatini, Mike Weir, Len Mattiace, Nick Faldo, Kirk Triplett, Craig Stadler, Corey Pavin, Tom Kite, and Ted Schultz have the reputation of being the best in placing drives in the right spot.  So that means only one thing, driving is significant at Riviera?  Sorry, but that isn’t the case.  Before 2021, the last winner to finish in the top ten in driving stats was 2014 winner Bubba Watson, who was T8th, but before that, it was Nick Faldo in 1997.  In 2021 Max Homa showed that hitting fairways was important in his win, in 2021 ranked 3rd in Fairways hit, 32 of 56,  Of the 26 since 1997, only seven have finished in the top-25, so that means that 18 of them were out of the top-25, amazing.  In 2020 Adam Scout was T-23rd, in 2019, J.B. Holmes was T-59th in driving accuracy. So being a straight driver is not an advantage at Riviera, even though Max Homa proved that wrong in 2021. But in 2022, Joaquin Niemann went back to the premise of winners not finding the fairways at Riviera, as he was 58th in Driving Accuracy.  Same with Jon Rahm last year; he was 63rd in Driving Accuracy.

Experience is key. The list of champions in the last 31 years includes Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson Fred Couples, Tom Kite, Corey Pavin, Craig Stadler, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, and Mike Weir, all major championship winners.  There have been 25 different Hall of Fame members that have won 39 championships, so the cream seems to always come to the top.

Not many shotmaking courses left on the PGA Tour.  Outside of Riviera can only name about a half dozen, from Pebble to PGA National to Hilton Head to Colonial.  So for most of the pros, hitting lots of greens and shaping the ball into the proper position is essential. So it only makes sense that players who hit lots of greens always do well at Riviera, right?  Of late, that stat has been important, in the last 27 years, ten winners have been in the top five for the week in greens hit, while eleven have been out of the top ten.  Last year, Jon Rahm was T-2nd in Greens in Regulation, while in 2022, Joaquin Niemann was T-14th in Greens in Regulation.   Bill Haas was the worst in 2012; he was ranked T-58th, hitting only 36 of 72 greens, in 2011 Aaron Baddeley was 3rd, while in 2010, Steve Stricker was T10th while in 2009, Phil Mickelson was T9th in greens hit at Riviera.  In 2013, John Merrick ranked T23rd, hitting 46 of 72 greens; in 2014, Bubba Watson ranked T3rd, hitting 51 of 72 greens; in 2015, James Hahn hit 40 of 72, which ranked T-28th. In 2016 Bubba hit 51 of 72 greens, ranking T-7th, while Dustin Johnson in 2017 led the stat by hitting 56 of the 72 greens.  In 2018 Bubba won, hitting 46 of 72 greens and ranked T-7th; in 2019, J.B. Holmes hit 52 of 72 greens and was ranked T2nd.  In 2020 Adam Scott became the 3rd player in the last 24 years to lead the greens hit category, hitting 52 of 72 greens.  In 2021, Max Homa did great, finishing T-5th, hitting 45 of 72 greens.

Putting has become more important in the last couple of years.  You have to make a lot of putts, especially in the under ten-foot range, to do well.  In 2012 Bill Haas had the least amount of putts with 103, while in 2010, Steve Stricker had the least amount of putts with just 104.  In 2014, Bubba Watson ranked T15th, taking just 108 putts, while James Hahn took 107 putts and ranked T-10th in 2015.  Bubba Watson took 113 putts in 2016, which ranked T-25th, while in 2017, Dustin Johnson took 114 putts which ranked T-48th.  In 2018, Bubba Watson had 108 putts, which ranked T-16th; in 2019, J.B. Holmes had 111 putts, which ranked T-11th.  In 2020 Adam Scott had 114 putts, ranking T-43rd, while Max Homa was T-10th in taking 106 putts.  In 2022 Joaquin Niemann only had 104 putts and was T-1st.  Last year Jon Rahm took 108 putts and was ranked T-2nd.

Players who are good scramblers do well at Riviera, especially those who can play the delicate shots around the green from the Kikuyu grass.  In 2011, Aaron Baddeley led the scrambling stat for the week, getting it up and down 18 of 20 times.

So how have the past winners done scrambling in their winning year?  Of the 18 winners since 2002, ten of them have been in the top 10.

  • In 2023 Jon Rahm was 50th, getting it up and down 13 of 21 tries (61.9%)
  • In 2022 Joaquin Niemann was 10th, getting it up and down 19 of 25 tries (77.0%)
  • In 2021 Max Homa was T-24th getting it up and down 18 of 27 tries (66.67%)
  • In 2020 Adam Scott was 17th, getting it up and down 12 of 20 tries (60.00%)
  • In 2019 J.B. Holmes was 17th, getting it up and down 14 of 20 tries (70.00%)
  • In 2018 Bubba Watson was T-20th (worst winner performance since 2008), getting it up and down 18 of 26 tries (69.23%)
  • In 2017 Dustin Johnson was T-5th, getting it up and down 13 of 16 tries (81.25%)
  • In 2016 Bubba Watson was 4th, getting it up and down 16 of 21 tries (76.19%)
  • in 2015, James Hahn was 13th, getting it up and down 22 out of 32 tries (68.75%).
  • In 2014, Bubba Watson was T-16th, getting it up and down 15 out of 21 tries (71.43%).
  • In 2013, John Merrick was 19th, getting it up and down 17 out of 26 tries (65.38%).
  • In 2012, Bill Haas was 7th, getting it up and down 26 out of 36 tries (72.22%).
  • In 2011 Aaron Baddeley was 1st, getting it up and down 18 out of 20 tries (90.00%).
  • In 2010 Steve Stricker was T-8th, getting it up and down 19 out of 24 tries (79.17%).
  • In 2009, Phil Mickelson was T29th, getting it up and down 14 out of 21 tries (66.67%).
  • In 2008 Phil Mickelson was 4th, getting it up and down 20 out of 26 tries (76.92%).
  • In 2007, Charles Howell III was T-6th, getting it up and down 16 out of 21 tries (76.19%).
  • In 2006, Rory Sabbatini was T62nd, getting it up and down 14 out of 24 tries (58.33%).
  • In 2005, Adam Scott was T-14th, getting it up and down 8 out of 10 tries (80.00%).
  • In 2004, Mike Weir was T-7th, getting it up and down 20 out of 26 tries (76.92%).
  • In 2003, Mike Weir was 6th, getting it up and down 19 out of 26 tries.
  • In 2002, Len Mattiace was T-11th, getting it up and down 22 out of 28 tries (78.57%).
  • In 2001, Robert Allenby was 69th, getting it up and down 11 out of 20 tries (55.00%).
  • In 2000, Kirk Triplett was 71st (dead last), getting it up and down 5 out of 14 tries (38.46%).

Last but not least, the weather will be very cloudy all week, with temperatures each day in the low-60s and rain on Sunday.  Winds will blow off the ocean at 10 mph.

Who to watch for at the Genesis Invitational

Best Bets:

Ludvig Aberg

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
First time playing in this event

He is playing in the Genesis for the first time, but his game is sharp right now and I think he can win this week.

Scottie Scheffler

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T12 T7 T20 T30 CUT

Last week in Phoenix, he finished T-3rd and could of won if he would of made a few more putts. Last year, Scheffler finished T-12th at Riviera; the year before, he was T-7th, so how lucky do you feel about him winning?

Patrick Cantlay

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
3 T33 T15 T17 T15 T4 CUT CUT

I can see him playing well and winning this week. The course is perfect for him, he was 3rd last year and T-4th in 2018.

Best of the rest:

Rory McIlroy

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T29 T10 CUT T5 T4 T20 T20

After playing well at the Genesis in 2019, finishing T-4th and 2020, finishing T-5th, has struggled to miss the cut in 2021, T-10th in 2022, and T-29th last year. Still his game is good, just has to put it together.

Xander Schauffele

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T33 T13 T15 T23 T15 T9

In seven starts, has three top-three finishes, but the best was T-4th in 2019. Can he win on this course? Yes, but his putting has to be better.

Viktor Hovland

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T20 T4 T5

He has struggled this year, and despite finishing in the top 20 in all three of his starts, you have to wonder if he can put it all together, which seems to be his problem.

Tony Finau

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T20 T33 2 T51 T15 T2 CUT CUT T56

Has played well at Riviera, his game is close, and if he gets rolling could win.

Sam Burns

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
CUT CUT 3 T23 CUT

Has played well just hasn’t been able to close the deal on Sunday.

Solid contenders

Wyndham Clark

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T33 T8 T17

He is returning to L.A. and close to the place where he won the U.S. Open. Has done okay at Riviera, so he could be a great choice this week.

Sahith Theegala

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T6 T48 T49

Again disappointed at Phoenix, but his game is good, and he could win this week.

Jason Day

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T9 CUT T64 T62

Don’t doubt him, his game is good, and he could surprise us; he was T-9th last year at Riviera.

Adam Scott

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
65 T4 T38 Win T7 T53 T11 T2 T10 T17

Always plays well at Riviera, and he could win if he can get the putter going.

Eric Cole

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
First time playing in this event

He shows up each week and performs well; he is really close to winning and could be on this course.

Hideki Matsuyama

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
CUT T39 CUT T5 T9 CUT T11 T4 T23

There couldn’t be a better course for him to win than Riviera.

Byeong Hun An

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T55

Has played well this season, just have to wonder if Riviera is his type of course.

Long shots that could come through:

Will Zalatoris

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
4 T26 T15 CUT

Has slowly gotten his game back in shape, Rivieria could be a great place for him to contend on Sunday.

Tom Hoge

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T14 CUT T52 CUT T53 T39

Has shown some signs of good play, he could play well on this course.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T58 CUT

Another of those players who could surprise us this week.

Tiger Woods

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T45 68 T15 CUT

He’s back, and you never know how his game is. One thing, there is no place he has played at more than Riviera without a win.

Don’t like him this week:

Max Homa

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
2 T10 Win T5 T37 CUT CUT

Yes a good record in this event, but he needs to play better than he has the last couple of months.

Jordan Spieth

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
CUT T26 T15 T59 T51 T9 T22 CUT T4 T12 CUT

His game is good, but I am taking a pass on him because he needs to play better at Riviera, his record is not that great in his 11 starts at the Genesis.

Collin Morikawa

2024 ’23 ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12
T6 T2 T43 T26

I’m sorry his game isn’t together right now.

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