#116 Tournament Preview Feb 14 2024  

#116 Tournament Preview Feb 14 2024  

The Genesis Invitational Feb 15-18 

The Riviera Country Club Par 71

North Pacific Course Palisades CA

Purse $20M same as last year

HISTORY Tiger Woods has never won the event in 15 tries and he is the host and will be playing in is first full PGA event since last years Masters.  Jon Rahm won last years defeating Max Homa by 2 strokes.  Riviera opened in 1926 as the LA Athletic Club.  There is no water in play.  Unlike most signature events there will be a cut. Ben Hogan won the US Open here in 1947 and this tournament in 1948 when he became 1 of 4 players to lead wire to wire.  It is one of the courses given the nickname “Hogan’s Alley” because of this feat. 

FAVORITES 

1 Scottie Scheffler 7/1 Same old story.  If his putter is on he should win.

2 Rory McIlroy 8.5/1 He was #7 at the end of RD 2 last year but faded.

3 Viktor Hovland 12/1 Has not played well since last years FedX Cup, but always dangerous.

4 Xander Schauffele 14/1 Still waiting for him to put 4 RDs together, no wins last year.

5 Max Homa 14/1 He loves his native California and won in 2021, he may be the best pick.

6 Collin Morikawa 18/1 Like Schauffele, has not put 4 good RDs together so far this year.

7 Patrick Cantlay 20/1 He has not played well since Ryder Cup, can’t see him winning.

8 Ludvig Aberg 20/1 Finished 2nd at Pebble Beach, his best this year.

9 Justin Thomas 22/1 Has played well but not in contention yet this year.

10 Sam Burns 22/1 He has played the best of these 10 this year, I would bet on him.

One of these should win, but I think the winner will come from someone in the rest of the field.

LONGSHOTS 

Jordan Spieth 31/1 If he can cut down on bogies he may win.

Sahith Theegala 35/1 Led in RDs 2 & 3 at Waste Management, but lost his cool in the final RD.

Wyndham Clark 40/1 Shot 60 to win shortened AT&T and made a charge at W/M.

Beau Hossler 80/1 Played well most of this year, time he lives up to his potential and wins.

Charley Hoffman 150/1 Except for a fabulous finish by Nick Taylor, he wins W/M at 300/1.

Tiger 150/1, new guy Dunlap 200/1, last Lee Hodges, Nick Hardy & Mackenzie Hughes 250/1

SPECIAL INFORMATION The 10th hole is a 315’ par 4 and considered by many, including Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy, as the best short par 4 in golf.  You want your 2nd shot to be on or near the green which is surrounded by bunkers.  The right side produces more bogies than birdies and the left can cause tree problems.  From 2015 to date, players who went for the green averaged 1/4 shot better than those who laid up.