Ian Wilkerson
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We have the PGA Tour’s third signature event of the year to look forward to this week — the Genesis Invitational. Jon Rahm will not be on hand to defend his crown at Riviera after defecting to the LIV Tour, but there is still a galaxy of the game’s biggest stars heading to Pacific Palisades aiming to grab a hefty share of the $20m prize pot on offer. They include the top 2 in the world rankings, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, while there will be the customary excitement as 15-time Major winner Tiger Woods makes his first appearance of 2024.
The field face a demanding test on one of the tour’s most traditional venues and it should add up to an intriguing week, with a former champion primed to make a big impression. This tournament, under the guise of several different names, has been generally played at Riviera since 1973 and it provides a tough test where accuracy and course strategy come to the fore.
A great tee-to-green game is essential, which is one of the main reasons that Scheffler, who was tied for third when defending the Phoenix Open last week, heads the market. Big things will be expected of Scheffler once again, while McIlroy has already claimed the Dubai Desert Classic this year and, like many, will be looking to bounce back from an underwhelming performance at the rain-hit Pebble Beach Pro-Am a fortnight ago.
Genesis Open golf picks and predictions
Adam Scott (+3300)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
Scheffler, who has not finished better than 7th in 5 attempts at Riviera, is in great form and could oblige at low odds, but another former Masters champion catches the eye a little further down the list. Adam Scott is 43 and it is nearly 11 years since he triumphed at Augusta, but he has proved recently that he is still more than capable of competing at the top level.
The Australian was 8th at Scottsdale, which was his 5th top-ten finish in his last 6 outings, and his statistics are impressive for this week’s demanding tournament – Scott is ranked 6th in strokes-gained: tee-to-green and 5th in strokes-gained on approach this season.
He should also have some good Riviera memories as his last tournament victory came at the California venue 4 years ago and he also won it when it was the Nissan Open in 2005. Scott started with a 72 in Arizona last week but weekend scores of 65 and 66 meant he finished on a high and the 14-time PGA Tour winner could provide some decent value.
Viktor Hovland (+1400)
Odds generally available at time of publishing.
While Scheffler and McIlroy dominate the head of the market, Viktor Hovland is a player who could also make his presence felt. The Norwegian stormed to the Tour Championship last year in a fine end to the season, and while he has not quite caught fire in 2024, better fortunes may not be too far away.
Of his Stateside efforts so far this year, his Sentry challenge suffered because of 1 poor round and he wasn’t the only one who suffered with the rain and wind at Pebble Beach, so he won’t be too worried about an indifferent finish there. His fade is a good fit for Riviera, where he finished 4th in 2022 and 5th in 2021, and he looks a stronger competitor now than he was when 20th last year, so he could be in his element.
Sahith Theegala (+3500)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Sahith Theegala was 5th on Sunday having come agonisingly close to winning at Scottsdale 12 months ago, and his game is moving in the right direction. That was his 2nd top-five finish of the year after he found Chris Kirk one shot too good at The Sentry when closing with a final-round 63. He couldn’t build on 2 great opening rounds in Arizona, but there are encouraging signs and, after finishing 6th at Riviera last year when only 3 players bettered his closing 66, he could make a big impression.
Wyndham Clark (+4000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM at time of publishing.
Meanwhile, the potential challenge of Wyndham Clark seems to have been underestimated. Many players will draw a line through their 3-round Pebble Beach effort, but those conditions will not affect Clark’s mood at all after he completed the victory with a closing 60. While he will be disappointed with finishing 41st at Phoenix, rounds of 65 and 66 on Friday and Saturday will have heartened the US Open champion and he can challenge at a venue where he was 8th in 2021.
