The Genesis Invitational: Who will ‘come out on top’ in hugely competitive field?

It’s another important week for the world’s top golfers as they prepare to face off at The Genesis Invitational.

The action gets underway on Thursday at the Riviera Country Club in California. Not only are 500 FedExCup points on offer for the winner, but there is also a purse of $9,300,000. The tournament will also provide the ideal preparation for future events, none more so than the 2028 Olympic events which will also be played on the course.

First played in 1926 as the Los Angeles Open, the par 71 course will see the nine of the top ten players in the current Official World Golf Rankings come together. But it’s the first time the event will take on its new invitational status, meaning the number of players will reduce from 144 to 120.

J.B. Holmes won by a single shot last time out, but he finds himself up against the likes of Tiger Woods and new world number one Rory McIlroy.

Oct 17, 2019 – Jeju, South Korea-Brooks Koepka of USA action on the green during an PGA Tour The CJ Cup Nine Bridges First Day at Nine Bridges Golf Club in Jeju, South Korea.

McIlroy returned to the top of the rankings for the first time in five years earlier this week, and is current favourite to go on and win his first tournament in the position. It will be his 96th cumulative week as world number one, and his first since September 2015.

Only Woods, Greg Norman and Nick Faldo have spent more weeks as the world’s top-ranked player.

The four-time major winner replaces Brooks Koepka at the top, and is currently 15/2 to be victorious this week. 

World number four Justin Thomas is available at 8/1 to lift the trophy.

World number three Jon Rahm has been given odds of 9/1, with number five Dustin Johnson currently 12/1. 

Tiger Woods, who is seeking his first Genesis title, is available at 18/1. The American has been unsuccessful from 11 attempts at the PGA Tour event at Riviera, and will be looking to improve on his 15th place finish last year.

Patrick Cantlay will also be looking to be in contention at the top. He is currently 20/1 to secure victory, with Koepka 22/1 to get back to winning ways.

2017 and 2018 Tour Championship winner Xander Schauffele is also 22/1, with Bubba Watson at 25/1 having qualified through being a former winner of The Genesis Invitational.

Both Tony Finau and Hideki Matsuyama are available at 28/1, while Adam Scott and Jason Day are both currently 33/1. Patrick Reed and Justin Rose are 40/1 to clinch success.