Genesis Invitational. Riviera Country Club. Tiger Woods.
Does it get any better than that?
The PGA Tour’s third signature event of the season is here and a loaded field has made its way to Los Angeles, including the tournament host.
Woods last played at the PNC Championship in December, after finishing 18th at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. His last official Tour start came at the Masters last April.
More: Tiger Woods hires new caddie
The 15-time major champion will be joined by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa.
Reigning champion Jon Rahm is not in L.A. to defend his title thanks to his recent move to LIV Golf.
Golf course
Riviera Country Club | Par 71 | 7,322 yards
Tiger Woods plays his second shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2023, in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Course history
Course history at Riviera Country Club for the @TheGenesisInv going back to 2016.
-Includes average finish position and Strokes Gained per round in each category. Players are sorted by SG: Total.
-3rd (out of 44) most predictive annual course on Tour.
Get all of my analysis,… pic.twitter.com/5TFtje5pOT
— Ron Klos (@PGASplits101) February 12, 2024
Sam Burns plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 11, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Justin Thomas (10/1): T-12
Sam Burns (20/1): T-3
Min Woo Lee (28/1): T-71
J.T. Poston (30/1): Cut
Beau Hossler (50/1): T-41
Close call with Burns, but the year of underdog winners continues. Does that end at Riviera? I’m sure the Tour would like one of its stars to shake Tiger’s hand Sunday afternoon.
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+650) | Jordan Spieth | (+2500) |
| Rory McIlroy | (+1000) | Adam Scott | (+2500) |
| Viktor Hovland | (+1400) | Tony Finau | (+3000) |
| Xander Schauffele | (+1600) | Tommy Fleetwood | (+3000) |
| Justin Thomas | (+1600) | Cameron Young | (+3000) |
| Collin Morikawa | (+1600) | Sahith Theegala | (+3500) |
| Patrick Cantlay | (+1800) | Matt Fitzpatrick | (+3500) |
| Max Homa | (+1800) | Wyndham Clark | (+4000) |
| Sam Burns | (+2000) | Will Zalatoris | (+4000) |
| Ludvig Aberg | (+2000) | Tom Kim | (+4500) |
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Justin Thomas misses a birdie putt on the 2nd hole during the second round at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
Guess who’s officially chasing a Justin Thomas win?
This guy.
Thomas had a few slow rounds to end the WM Phoenix Open, but still tied for 12th. Going back a little further, Thomas tied for sixth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and for third at the American Express.
In his last six starts at Riviera, Thomas has finished inside the top 10 three times (runner-up in 2019) and 20th last season.
Cameron Young prepares to putt on the fourth green during the final round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 11, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
It’s about time Cameron Young gets his first win on Tour.
After a few tough finishes to begin his year, Young tied for eighth at the WM Phoenix Open.
The former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year has enjoyed his time at Riviera, making two starts and finishing 20th in 2023 and second in 2022.
Sahith Theegala plays his tee shot on the 17th hole during the rain delayed second round at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)
This year has been a bit of a mixed bag for Theegala.
He missed the cut at the Sony Open and tied for 64th at the Farmers Insurance Open, but on the other hand he was the runner-up at The Sentry, tied for 20th at Pebble Beach and grabbed solo fifth at the WM Phoenix Open.
At last year’s Genesis, Theegala finished sixth.
Tiger Woods reacts after his son, Charlie Woods, chips in for a birdie on the ninth green during the final round of the 2023 PNC Championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Orlando. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
When Tiger Woods is in the field, he has to go on the card somewhere. It’s the right thing to do.
Do I think he’s gonna win? No. But do I think he’ll tough out making it to the weekend? Of course I do.
Let’s do the damn thing, GOAT.