Following a thrilling finish in the Arizona desert the PGA Tour heads back to California for the Genesis Invitational to wrap up the West Coast swing. The status change means a smaller field of 120 golfers, but it’s a stacked lineup with OWGR No. 1 and betting favorite Jon Rahm headlining. He’s joined by the rest of the top 10 players in the world along with a stellar cast to take a twirl around famed Riviera Country Club. Local favorite Max Homa is back to defend the title he won last year in a playoff over Tony Finau with both players further down the odds board. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win Genesis Invitational at BookMaker.eu
Jon Rahm +900
Patrick Cantlay +1400
Collin Morikawa +1800
Dustin Johnson +1800
Justin Thomas +1800
Hideki Matsuyama +2000
Rory McIlroy +2000
Xander Schauffele +2000
Viktor Hovland +2200
Cameron Smith +2500
Scottie Scheffler +2500
Will Zalatoris +2800
Brooks Koepka +3000
Sungjae Im +3300
Jordan Spieth +3500
Matt Fitzpatrick +3500
Bubba Watson +4000
Sam Burns +4000
Adam Scott +4500
Max Homa +4500
Tony Finau +5000
Talor Gooch +5500
Joaquin Niemann +6000
Marc Leishman +6000
Paul Casey +6000
Russell Henley +6000
Thomas Pieters +6000
Patrick Reed +6600
Sergio Garcia +6600
Jason Kokrak +7000
Tom Hoge +7000
Odds Analysis
Tony Finau +5000
If Finau is going to find his game Riviera is the place for it. His skill set seems to match the layout perfectly leading to a 72-hole tie for the lead last year. Unfortunately he couldn’t overcome Homa in a playoff settling for his second runner-up in his last four starts at this joint. He also has a top-15 from a few years back, so the course isn’t the problem. His recent struggles have a lot to do with his price. Two MCs and a T40 in his last three starts didn’t sway oddsmakers. But Finau can flip the switch and his success here is something to consider. So are the winnings if you back him for the outright.
Brooks Koepka +3000
When Koepka gets on a roll it typically lasts for a while. And with a limited field of highly-ranked players the Genesis has a near major-like feel. And we know how Brooks does in those major championships. He broke through last week finishing a shot off the lead for a T3 and this is the time of year when things start heating up. Recently, Koepka said it was embarrassing that he wasn’t among the top-10 in the world, so that will serve as added motivation this week.
Collin Morikawa +1800
Gambling is a risk, but backing Morikawa for the outright at this price is even riskier. But like the saying goes, no risk no reward, or something like that. Anyway, Morikawa’s recent play hasn’t been intimidating yet he’s still fairly high up the odds board. He spent the last few weeks in the Middle East finishing T62 and T18 in a pair of starts. A return home to the West Coast is what he needs and Riviera has been good to locals. So despite the price I’m backing Morikawa because I know what he’s capable of.
Jon Rahm +900
I typically don’t go with the favorite since I’m more about looking for value picks, but it’s really hard to ignore Rahm. Even when the Spaniard doesn’t have his best stuff he finishes among the top-10, like he did last week in Phoenix. And he hasn’t been too shabby at Riviera over the years going 3 for 3 with two top-10s and another T17 on his resume. He’s playing so well it just seems like a matter of time before he takes a victory lap.
Cameron Smith +2500
We haven’t seen Smith since his MC at the Sony Open, but you can’t complain about his play prior to that. He won the Sentry TOC the week before capping a run of four straight top-15s that also included a T4 in the RSM Classic. Aussies have traditionally done well in this tournament and Smith is the best of the bunch right now.
Course: Riviera Country Club – 7,322 yards, Par 71
The Riviera course remains unchanged from last year. That doesn’t mean it’s any easier, though. The track plays longer than its listed yardage consisting of six par-4s that each play at 455 yards or longer. The par-5s are no cakewalk either with two of the three playing over 580 yards. The driver becomes a huge weapon this weekend. Those who can hit the ball a long way with accuracy have an advantage with the narrow fairways. There are no water hazards, but there are plenty of bunkers lining the playing area and thick rough that swallows golf balls. The layout screams conservative play, but as we know that doesn’t lead to playing in the final group on Sunday. This is also the first event of the season that offers 550 FedExCup points to the winner.
TV Coverage: CBS, Golf Channel
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