In a year since his first win on Tour, Scottie Scheffler successfully defended his title at the WM Phoenix Open last weekend. This was his 5th career victory and first of the season.
This week is the Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods, who has also announced he will be playing in the tournament as well. It is the last of the West Coast swing and fifth of seven visits to California. The Genesis Invitational is held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
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2023 Genesis Invitational
February 16-19, 2023
The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champ: Joaquin Niemann
The Genesis Invitational began in 1927 originally as the Los Angeles Open. It has been played under various names and at 11 different courses in its history but most often played at the Riviera Country Club. The tournament is a 72 hole, stroke play tournament, with a cut after 36 holes down to the top 65 players and ties.
The weather is calling for low to mid 60s all weekend and winds topping out at about 8 mph in the afternoons. Should be a perfect weekend for golf but the winds will be something to keep an eye on.
AP Photos
What Course Is the Genesis Invitational Held At?
The Genesis Invitational has been played at the Riviera Country Club, including this weekend, 60 of the 96 times the tournament has been played. The course was designed by George C. Thomas opened in 1927. There have been renovations completed in 1992 by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore and in 2002 Tom Fazio oversaw changes which added length to the course. The course has hosted 3 majors and will be hosting the 2028 Olympics.
Riviera Country Club measures in at 7,322 yards and par-71. The course will require players to use every club in the bag and will likely come down to course management tee to green. Accuracy will be imperative to avoid the rough and setup for hitting Greens in Regulation. As always, putting will also be imperative to winning this weekend.
Saturday: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Golf Channel; 3:00-7:00 p.m. CBS
Sunday: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Golf Channel; 3:00-6:30 p.m. CBS
How To Listen To the Genesis Invitational
Thursday: 2:00-8:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Friday: 2:00-8:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Saturday: 2:00-7:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Sunday: 1:00-7:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Payouts for the 2023 Genesis Invitational
The total purse of the 2023 Genesis Invitational is $20,000,000, tying last week’s total for highest purse to date this season. The winner receives 550 FedEx Cup points and a minimum of 24 Official World Golf Ranking points — additional Official World Golf Ranking points can be added based on the tournament’s strength of field. The champion also receives a three-season exemption on the PGA Tour, as well as inclusion in the 2023 Masters and 2023 PGA Championship, and the 2024 Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Finish
Payout
1
$3,600,000
2
$2,180,000
3
$1,380,000
4
$980,000
5
$820,000
How many Golfers are in the 2023 Genesis Invitational?
As this is an invitational, the field size is down slightly to 131 golfers teeing it up this week at the Genesis Invitational. With the additional year exemption on the line, added FedEx Cup points, and massive purse (not to mention the Tiger Woods effect), the field is one of the most competitive we have seen this season with 19 of the top 20 Official World Golf Ranking players teeing it up this week.
Who has the Best Odds of Winning the 2023 Genesis Invitational?
The current top 3 favorites to win the 2023 Genesis Invitational are the top 3 Official World Golf Ranking players with the best odds going to number 3, Jon Rahm (+750), followed by number 2 Rory McIlroy (+950) with number 1 and last week’s champion Scottie Scheffler (+1000) rounding out the top 3.
Genesis Invitational Past Winners
2022 Joaquin Niemann (-19)
2021 Max Homa (-12)
2020 Adam Scott (-11)
2019 J.B. Holmes (-14)
2018 Bubba Watson (-12)
PGA Best Bets Today – Thursday, February 16, 2023
2023 Genesis Invitational Pick: Jon Rahm Tournament Winner | +750 at BetMGM
Thursday, Feb. 16
Once again, Jon Rahm is again this week’s odds favorite and my pick for this tournament winner. While he fell short last week finishing third, he is still playing some of the best all around golf of any player.
His driver let him down last weekend missing fairways and it will not be a mistake he can make again this week and expect to win. Even with the off week on the tee, he is still No. 1 in Stroke Gained: Total, and No. 2 in Stroked Gained: Off the Tee.
2023 Genesis Invitational Pick: Max Homa Top 5 Finish | +350 at BetMGM
Thursday, Feb. 16
Max Homa is playing as well as anyone on tour. In his last three starts at Riviera, he has finished in the top 10 all three times and won in 2021. He already has two wins this season and should be able to be in the conversation come Sunday.
2023 Genesis Invitational Pick: Viktor Hovland Top 10 Finish | +220 at BetMGM
Thursday, Feb. 16
Hovland has not exactly continued his winning ways since taking home the Hero World Challenge trophy, but still has a pair of top 10s on the season. In the last two times he has played Riviera, he finished in the top 5.
