Golf: PGA Tour – The Genesis Invitational
Venue: Riviera Country Club, California
Dates: Thursday 13th – Sunday 16th February 2020
Tournament Preview
The Genesis Invitational is the new name of the Los Angeles Open – an event that has been a mainstay on the PGA Tour for 94 years. The event is the concluding tournament of the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing before it moves east to Florida. The event has one of the richest histories on the PGA Tour with a multitude of big names having won the event previously including: Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson. South Korean company Genesis Motors are now providing sponsorship at the event and with over $9 million in the prize pot and $1.75 million on the line for the winner – there is plenty to play for in the Californian sunshine this week.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
There are plenty of big names in the field here at the Riviera and they will all be looking to pick up the winner’s cheque and trophy come Sunday:
The Northern Irishman has moved back to the top of the World Golf Rankings this week and he will be eager to stamp his authority in an event he has remarkably, never won before,
2019 runner up Justin Thomas continues to churn out consistent performances on the PGA Tour and with a win already under his belt this season, he should arrive at the Riviera full of confidence.
Dustin Johnson won this event back in 2017 and looks to have a game tailor made for the course here at the Riviera. He faded at last week’s AT&T Open, but he’ll be keen to put on a show this week.
Spaniard Jon Rahm is operating at a career high of number 3 in the world rankings and with 6 consecutive top 10 finishes to his name, he looks to be in the form of his life.
Brooks Koepka has been battling injury problems for the past 6 months but he looks to be fit and firing once more as he arrives at the Riviera and he will be keen to get back into the winners enclosure this week.
1st Round Leader
With plenty of money on the line here in California, plenty of players will fancy their chances of getting off to fast start:
American Patrick Cantlay finished just outside the top 10 at the AT&T Open last time out and he will be keen to build on that as he looks to continue to climb the world rankings and guarantee his Ryder Cup spot.
Australian Jason Day finished 4th at the AT&T Open last time out and he will be keen to build on that here and he is beginning to show signs of the form that got him to world number one a few years ago.
2005 Los Angeles Open champion Adam Scott has always enjoyed playing at the Riviera and a return to familiar surroundings could give him a much needed boost this week.
Top 10 Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in California, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:
Three-time Los Angeles Open champion Bubba Watson enjoys the course at the Riviera Golf Course more than most and he should be in contention once again come Sunday.
Tony Finau has finished in the top 10 in each of his last 4 starts on the PGA Tour and the 2018 runner-up looks set to go deep once more at the Riviera Course.
J.B Holmes has put in strong performances in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour, finishing 16th and 14th in his last two starts and the defending champion could be one to watch this week.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Rory McIlroy – 9.00
1st Round Leader: Patrick Cantlay – 28.00
Top Ten Finish: Tony Finau – 2.50
