2023 Genesis Invitational Preview, Picks & Analysis

THERE will be a new champion at this week’s Genesis Invitational. The tournament was won last year by Joaquin Niemann, who is now plying his trade with LIV Golf.

Twelve months ago, Niemann fired a final round of 71 to become the first wire-to-wire winner in 53 years.

The tournament is hosted by Tiger Woods and the big news is that the 15-time major champion will be playing in the event. Tiger being Tiger, you can be certain that he would not be teeing it up unless he felt he was ready. But the harsh reality is that making the cut will be a triumph.

There is a world-class field heading to Riviera, led by Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and man of the moment Jon Rahm. The Spaniard won the Tournament of Champions and American Express and had a chance to claim the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines for a third time. This followed his victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai last year.

Rahm says that he believes he is the best player in the world right now but McIlroy had something to say about that when he saw off Patrick Reed at the Dubai Desert Classic last month.

Scheffler spent much of 2022 as world number one until being replaced by McIlroy. But the American responded to that and showed his best form again at the Phoenix Open.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Justin Rose will arrive at Riviera with his confidence sky high after ending a four-year winless drought on the PGA Tour at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. It was the Englishman’s 11th PGA Tour win and it was probably the most satisfying of his career because it was unexpected.

He is the one of the hardest workers in the game and on the back of his Pebble Beach success he is now targeting a place in Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team.

He admitted after holing the winning putt at Pebble Beach that he had doubted himself during a barren period which had seen the former world No 1 slip out of the world’s top 75. But a final round of 66 was enough to see him win by three strokes.

“This is just a moment to say thanks to the people that believed in me maybe more than I do,” said Rose.

“There have been a lot of people that have rallied around me and I’ve just had an unbelievable week. 

“It was an incredible week from start to finish with a lot happening in my favour.”

A number of other Europeans are in the field this week, including Seamus Power, Adrian Meronk, Matt Wallace, Danny Willett, Viktor Hovland, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Sepp Straka, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Alex Noren. And all of them will be looking to put down a marker in what is one of the PGA Tour’s biggest tournaments.

Runner-up last year was Cameron Young, making only his 12th career PGA Tour start. Young is still looking for a maiden victory but started the year well, finishing second at the Saudi International. He is making a habit of accumulating runner-up finishes and while that may worry some golfers, Young will be confident of claiming a first title before very much longer.

Tournament Winners

It was won in 2016 and 2018 by Bubba Watson, in 2017 by Dustin Johnson, in 2019 by JB Holmes, in 2020 by Adam Scott, in 2021 by Max Homa and last year by Joaquin Niemann.

Form Guide

Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are the two hottest golfers on the planet right now., winning golf tournaments for fun. The Spaniard won his first two starts in 2023 and nearly made it three in a row at Torrey Pines. And McIlroy responded by winning the Dubai Desert Classic even though, by his own admission, he had nothing like his A-game with him.

The Course

Riviera Country Club was established almost 100 years ago and was designed by George Thomas and William Bell. It is a par 71 measuring 7,322 yards. The course record is 61. It has staged the US Open and the US PGA Championship on two occasions.

To Win:

Rory McIlroy. Has a point to prove to Jon Rahm

Each Way:

Jon Rahm. Determined to top the world rankings

Each Way:

Xander Schauffele. Brilliant putter

Five to Follow:

Rory McIlroy. Can win even when he’s not at his best

Jon Rahm. Is holing putts again

Xander Schauffele. No weaknesses

Scottie Scheffler. Back to his best

Viktor Hovland. Terrific iron player

Outsiders to Watch:

Tiger Woods. Great to see him back

Matt Wallace. A big year for the English golfer

Andrew Putnam. Riviera is made for this guy

Christiaan Bezuidenhout. Wondrous short game