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The PGA Tour will return to Pacific Palisades, CA for the 2023 Genesis Invitational. As usual, the tournament will be played at Riviera Country Club & hosted by none other than Tiger Woods. And, oh yeah, in case you didn’t hear – Woods is playing. It’ll be his first start since the 150th Open at St. Andrews. Woods currently sits at 120-1 to win the Genesis Invitational for the first time. Joaquin Niemann was a wire-to-wire winner last year, but will not be returning to this years field. However, Max Homa (+2000), the 2021 Champion, does return to the field this year. Other top contenders by listed odds are Jon Rahm (+700), Rory McIlroy (+900), Scottie Scheffler (+1000) and Xander Schauffele (+1400).
Outright Winners
Tony Finau (+1600) – Finau carried his momentum into Scottsdale last week to put together a solid week of golf. He finished T14 in a major like field and showed no signs of slowing down his hot start. Finau will look to get back into the winners circle this week. Didn’t have his best stuff last time around at Riviera as he finished T33, but don’t look too much into that. Finau has two runner up finishes in this event & should be in the mix on Sunday to get his first win at Riviera.
Justin Thomas (+1600) – JT showed glimpses of his best stuff in Phoenix, but didn’t have it all week. Despite that, he took home a solo 4th finish. He hasn’t really found his rhythm since his last win at Southern Hills, but if Sunday at TPC Scottsdale was a sign of whats to come for JT – he’ll be in the hunt on Sunday.
Sungjae Im (+3000) – A bogey on 18 last week cost Sungjae back-to-back top 5 finishes as he ended up T6 in Phoenix. I’ve mentioned several times the absolute tear he has been on dating back to the tail end of the 2021-2022 season. It just feels like he is due for a victory. Ranks in the Top 10 on the Tour in total strokes gained, but barely inside the Top 50 in strokes gained with the flat stick. If he can get the putter rolling this week, I don’t care who you are; he won’t be easy to beat.
Tom Kim (+4500) – Strictly a value play considering the lack of consistency as of late from the 20 year old as well as this being his first appearance at the Genesis Invitational. I’m confident Tom Kim is one of the 10 best players in the world – so I’m not passing up on 45-1.
Finishing Positions
Top 5 Finishes
Xander Schauffele (+360) – Xander finds himself back in my Top 5 slip after coming up a bit short last week. He finished up T10 after a mediocre Sunday round. He played well all 4 days but couldn’t avoid bogeys in crucial points to keep himself in the mix. Yet to secure a Top 5 finish at Riviera but his resume here is still stellar. 3 Top 20’s and a Top 10 in his last 5 starts.
Viktor Hovland (+550) – T4 last year and T5 in 2021. Hovland loves RIV and despite a down week in Phoenix he’s been playing really solid golf this season. Great price & I wouldn’t be stunned if Hovland is able to win it this week.
Top 10 Finishes
Max Homa (+210) – Despite losing me a few bucks at Waste Management, it’s so hard for me to go a tournament without some type of ticket on Max. But when it comes to Genesis? The thought doesn’t even cross my mind. T33 in his first appearance in 2019. In 2020, he finished T5 before returning in 2021 to win the event. T10 last year. Max grew up in Cali and absolutely loves Riviera.
Sungjae Im (+300) – Welcome back, Mr. Im. Looking for his 5th Top 10 finish already this season – this is a max play at 3-1.
Top 20 Finishes
Sam Burns (+150) – Burns had great value last week as well and ended up capitalizing with a T6 finish. In these strong fields and elevated events, he’ll continue to have a good price. Has struggled at times this season but seemed to have gotten back in form last week.
Rickie Fowler (+230) – I wrote last week that swing changes and other changes within his team have paid off in bunches for Rickie. He proved that to be true again in Phoenix. His iron game is incredible as he sits 12th on Tour in approach. This isn’t a fluke and Butch Harmon thinks Rickie will win this year. I don’t see that win coming this week but I do see Rickie hanging in there throughout the weekend.
Sepp Straka (+650) – +650. Incredible. Straka is far from consistent, but at his best, he’s hung in there with the top players in the world. Won in a weaker field at Honda last season, and lost in a playoff to Will Zalatoris at St. Jude. No chance I’m passing up this price.
