The PGA Tour chugs along through the southwestern United States as it takes another pit-stop in southern California at Riviera Country Club. Formally known as the Los Angeles Open, Northern Trust Open and Nissan Open, the Genesis Invitational is the concluding piece of the “West Coast Swing” of the tour. The Riviera Golf Course is a par-71 course that plays long, as six of the par-4 holes play longer than 450 yards and two of the three par 5s play at over 580 yards (on a very rare Kikuyu grass that you normally see in Asia and Australia). A strong approach game is needed once again this week, as the majority of the greens have bunkers surrounding them, including one placed in the middle of the green on the 6th hole. Bombers like Bubba Watson (+1800), Dustin Johnson (+1200), Justin Thomas (+900) and Rory McIlroy (+750) have success at this long track and as such, all four aforementioned golfers are among the top 6 most favored to win this weekend.
Nineteen of the world’s top-25 golfers are in the field this weekend, and in turn, gives this event has a very “Masters” feel. Dustin Johnson won this event back in 2017 and has eight career top-ten finishes here (including six top-five finishes). Johnson looks like he has shaken off some rust since having knee surgery in September of last year, making him a strong pick at fourth-highest odds of +1200. Bubba Watson, a three-time winner of this event, has very nice course history at Riviera, so considering him feels like a no-brainer (+1800 odds).
Adam Scott won this event back in 2005 and has added seven top-20s since. In fact, five of those top-20 finishes have now come in his last six appearances (with three of those being top-10s). Scott hasn’t won a tournament worldwide dating back to 2016 when he went back-to-back in the Honda Classic and WGC-Cadillac Championship, but he is getting +2800 to take it home this weekend.
Finally, Colin Morikawa hasn’t missed a cut in eight events and has six top-25 finishes, including two top-ten finishes to start the season. Morikawa is one of the rising stars on tour that has yet to miss a cut since turning pro. He is an elite ball striker and is extremely strong in both shots gained tee-to-green and approach. If you want to get a little frisky with your bets this weekend, Colin might be an investment to look into at +5000 odds.
While Rory McIlroy is the clear favorite of the tournament at +750 odds, I’d highly suggest picking one of the aforementioned golfers to put your money on this weekend.
