The PGA Tour heads back to California this week finishing up the West Coast swing at Riviera Country Club for the annual Genesis Invitational. The event always attracts the best players with 23 of the top 25 in the OWGR scheduled to peg it up. However, most of the attention will be on Tiger Woods, who committed to make his first official Tour start since last July. Familiar faces sit at the top of the odds board with Jon Rahm slotted as the betting favorite with Rory McIlroy and last week’s winner Scottie Scheffler close behind. For the 14th year in a row we’ll have a new champ with last year’s winner Joaquin Niemann defecting to LIV Golf. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win Genesis Invitational Open
Jon Rahm +750
Rory McIlroy +1000
Scottie Scheffler +1000
Justin Thomas +1400
Tony Finau +1600
Xander Schauffele +1800
Collin Morikawa +2000
Max Homa +2000
Patrick Cantlay +2500
Viktor Hovland +2500
Sam Burns +2700
Sungjae Im +3000
Cameron Young +3500
Jordan Spieth +3500
Will Zalatoris +3500
Jason Day +4000
Matthew Fitzpatrick +4000
Tom Kim +4000
Hideki Matsuyama +4500
Tyrrell Hatton +4500
Justin Rose +5000
Adam Scott +5500
Rickie Fowler +6300
Keegan Bradley +7000
Sahith Theegala +7000
Taylor Montgomery +7500
Seamus Power +8000
Si Woo Kim +8000
Wyndham Clark +8500
Alex Noren +9000
Tommy Fleetwood +9500
Adam Hadwin +9500
Odds Analysis
Patrick Cantlay +2500
Compared to last season it’s been a slow start for Cantlay, but that’s all relative when talking about a player with two wins among 10 top-10s a season ago. He opened with a runner-up at the Shriners and had a strong showing at the AMX before missing the cut in Phoenix. I’m not too concerned with that MC since some of the top players left early. In fact it may be a blessing with some additional rest before attacking a layout that’s been good to him. He’s played the weekend in his last five visits with a top-5 among his four top-20s.
Tony Finau +1600
I keep Finau in this section because he has the goods to win a lot. There are few weaknesses in his game and he always seems to have a little longer odds than some of the other players. He’s been good this season with a win in Houston and four other top-20s in his five starts. And he’s another player with a strong history at Riviera with a pair of runner-up finishes in his last five starts.
Max Homa +2000
The most recent Genesis winner to compete this year, Homa won the title in 2021 beating Finau in a playoff. And we’ve seen a marked improvement in his game over the past few years. Homa has two wins this season with his T39 last week the worst finish in his six starts. The local guy also feels comfortable on this layout with a win and two additional top-10s in his last three starts at Riviera.
Xander Schauffele +1800
I typically try to stay away from the top of the odds board in this section which is why Rahm, Scheffler and McIlroy are not mentioned. There are great players right behind them with better value and Schauffele is one I’m targeting. Apparently over the injury that forced him to WD in Hawai’i, the X-man is T3-T13-T10 since and he’s perfect in five starts here finishing among the top-15 four times.
Adam Scott +5500
There’s nothing wrong with wagering on the favorites at the top of the odds list. But as you know I try to find value picks in this section and there are a few. Homa was in this price range when he won last year, though the field is a little different with this being a ‘designated event.’ Still, Scott poses a threat with his consistent play and strong history at Riviera. He’s the tournament’s all time earnings leader with a win, T4 and T7 in his last four starts.
Course: Riviera Country Club – 7,322 yards, Par 71
The Riviera course hasn’t changed much from previous years, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier. Long considered one of the best courses around, Riviera’s compact layout is a good test. The track plays longer than its listed yardage with six par-4s that each play at 455 yards or longer and two par-5s 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.
TV Coverage: CBS, Golf Channel
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