Genesis Invitational 2024 Picks & Plays
Tiger Woods makes his long anticipated 2024 debut at Riviera Country Club this week in another PGA Tour signature event.
USA Today
The golf world will be laser focused this week on Riviera Country Club and the Genesis Invitational as Tiger Woods makes his 2024 PGA Tour debut. Tiger has reportedly stated that he will be trying to play twelve events this year and we are eager to see how his body holds up this week on a hilly Riviera. For picks sake, we will not be playing Tiger this week as we just don’t know how sharp his game is and even in his prime, Tiger was always flummoxed by Riviera.
Riviera will be playing at 7,322 yards and a par 71. Narrow and tree lined, Riviera always is a true test for the world’s best players. We aren’t sure how well the course has drained this week after all the rain they had, but typically, this is a course that favors the great drivers of the golf ball. We will definitely take that into account when making picks this week.
Leading Courses
Ludvig Aberg (+1800 / $9,200 DFS)
Titleist
Riviera CC demands great driving of the golf ball and looking back at previous winners, those that are also long. On the current PGA Tour, when you think of those two skills, look no further than Ludvig Aberg. Immensely talented, the young Swede has rose to number 11 in the world rankings less than a year into his professional career.
Coming off back-to-back top 10 finishes at Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach, Aberg has also gained strokes on the field in approach play over his last 3 events to go with his exceptional driving. He could be primed for a real breakout this week to get a win in a big event.
Cameron Young (+3500 / $8,500 DFS)
NY Post
Still searching for his first PGA Tour career victory, Cameron Young’s start to the season was less than stellar. Great driving of the golf ball is the theme this week, and Cam Young has that going for him. Couple that with his best finish of the season at the Waste Management (T8), Young’s game may be rounding into form just in time for a big week at Riviera.
He also has good course history that makes one think that he is very comfortable on the hallowed grounds where the Genesis Open will be played. Young comes into this week with T2 and T20 finishes in his two career starts at Riviera. Could this be the week that Cameron Young sheds the label as one of the best players without a PGA Tour victory?
Adam Scott (+2800 / $8,200 DFS)
Los Angeles Times
With Hollywood good looks, Adam Scott is made for Los Angeles, and his golf game is made for Riviera Country Club. Scott has played this event 15 times in his career, making the cut 14 times. The two time winner at Riviera, Scott also has 7 top 10 finishes in those 15 events.
His golf game seems to be in a good place with a T7 at the Dubai Desert Classic, T20 at Pebble Beach and a T8 last week at the Waste Management. Scott may be in the running for his third Genesis title, but at a minimum is a solid option for a top 10 finish.
Tom Hoge (+10000 / $6,700 DFS)
Fanduel
Riviera Country Club isn’t all about distance off the tee, great ball striking and approach play, especially with longer irons is a key metric this week at the Genesis Open. This skill set plays right into Tom Hoge’s hands. Hoge is off to a good start this year, making 5/6 cuts in 2024 and has T6 and T17 finishes the last few weeks, so his game is sharp coming into this signature event. Couple that with a T14 finish in this event last year, and it is safe to say that Hoge is a solid play this week at Riviera Country Club.
Collin Morikawa (+1600 / $9,500 DFS)
CNN
It wouldn’t be a “West Coast Swing” event without picking at least one California kid that is used to poa greens to contend. This week instead of Cantlay, Homa or Schauffele, I am going with Morikawa to make a run at the title.
Morikawa’s ball striking prowess is back in 2024, where he ranks 9th in strokes gained off the tee and 15th in strokes gained approach. If he putts better on poa greens that he grew up on, look for Morikawa to be a major factor on Sunday at Riviera Country Club.