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After having a very successful Waste Management Phoenix Open (yes, we called Scottie Scheffler to win, Justin Thomas to top 10 and 5, Sungjae Im to top 20, and a couple of other good calls) the boys decided to dive into another great week of golf. We are in Los Angles, California this week at the historical Riviera Country Club. A well-known beautiful course, with freaky quick poa annua grass greens and thick rough. The course has some gettable holes - especially the par five's, but there are some par fours that are tricky. Not to mention a couple of doglegs on the back nine.
To Make The Cut: Tiger Woods +200
This is the first time ol' Eldrick is teeing it up this year, besides his Hero World Challenge tournament. At +200 odds, every golf fan has to take this! Honestly, you could even put the bet down for Tiger Woods to finish Top 40. He knows this place too well and has played at Riviera for a long time when he made his debut decades ago. We all want to see Tiger Woods on the weekend, and the game of golf needs it right now. A couple of months ago at The Match, Tiger Woods was slightly inaccurate off the tee. That is my only worry, but videos of his swing look dynamite. He told the press "if I do not think I can win then I would not be playing this week" ... yeah, Tiger Woods to make the cut +200, please.
Top 40:
Adam Scott -120
The Australian golfer is a big fan of this course, as he has been a champion at The Genesis Invitational twice. Adam Scott is the most experienced player to play this course this week, being ranked first in course history. Scott came out and said that he liked this course so much because it reminds him of the greens back home in Australia. People compare these poa annua greens to Agusta National's, where Scott has had success there. I am being safe here and taking Adam Scott T40 for a good price, but do not be shocked if he makes a run the weekend.
Wyndham Clark -105
Honestly, one of the most slept-on young golfers right now. I can not wait to hammer his T40 and T20 at the Masters this April. Wyndham Clark has finished in the top 20 twice in the last three years. He finished 10th last week, T37, T50, T10, T6. I love it.
Sam Ryder +175
I really like this young kid. Sam Ryder is a good golfer who I believe is waiting to break through. He played on poa annua greens two tournaments ago at Torrey Pines for The American Express, where he took 4th. Last week, he tied for 20th at the Waste Management Open. I believe this kid could have a big week, so Top 40 seems like a safe bet at plus odds.
Top 20:
Xander Schauffele -115
This guy is becoming a big name for himself. He is not one of the top three golfers in the world because he just can not win, but he seems to always be in the mix on the weekends. Xander has had a great season thus far, I believe he keeps things rolling.
Justin Thomas -115
This is basically the same thing as above. Justin Thomas has the ability to be the world number one, but he just needs to win some tournaments. I believe Justin Thomas is the 4th best golfer in the world right now and is due for a win here soon. If he can get the putter and driver to have a positive relationship this week, look out.
Colin Morikawa -105
The reason why I love Colin this week is that he likes to play in California. He won the US Open two years ago in San Fransisco. At the previous Genesis Invitational, he ended up taking second place with Joaquin Niemann. Colin did not play great last week, but maybe he can change things around this week.
Viktor Hovland +125
This man is as consistent as it gets, I swear. I always see Hovland make cuts and then battle for the top 20 or some type of contention. I love Hovland, and for the last two years, he has played really well here. He has a T5 and T4, so watch out this weekend, because Hovland has had a solid season, looking to make it better. He can be a kid who can win this tournament.
Sam Burns +150
This scares me a little bit. Burns is a really good golfer who had an outstanding season last year. He missed the cut last year but took 3rd in 2021. Burns has sneaked in a T6, T11, 32, 12, WD, and a T7 in his last couple of tournaments. I feel good about him and this bet, lets go, Sammy.
Hideki Matsuyama +190
I really like this pick at plus odds. Hideki is a top 10 player in course history playing this week at Riviera. He also likes to avoid bogeys, which is always good. Hideki is a winner at Agusta National, so he knows what these greens are somewhat like, and likes them when he is playing well. He has placed T21, T48, T9, and T29. I like his odds here.
Wyndham Clark +320
Yes. This is the bet. This kid is a stud. T40 and T20, sign me up. He likes playing on the poa annua greens, and is having a great season. Finished with two T20's the last 3 times he played this tournament, one being a disqualification.
Top 10
Rory McIlroy +100
Rahm has been playing well, and Scottie is coming off a win, should Rory be next up? Why not this week at Riviera, where Rory ranks second in course history, first in avoiding bogey, and ready to take on another tournament after a semi-disappointing week last weekend. The last two years, Rory missed the cut and then tied for 10th last year. Rory has played well across the pond, I want to see it this week.
Possible Champions
Personally, I am not betting on this until Saturday or Sunday. I do not think I can get back-to-back winners to pick betting-wise, but if I did, I believe Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, or Max Homa can win it.
Tournament Matchups:
Hovland-120 > Im
Sungjae does not play very well at The Genesis Invitational.
Morikawa-140 > Spieth
This seems like a trap but Colin is so good with his irons and wedges, he does not have to be long this week. If Spieth's short game gets hot, then I am toast.
Rickie Fowler-120 > T. Moore
I do not know who Moore is, and Rickie has had a good year thus far. I'll be putting more money into this than I probably should.
3-Ball:
CINK+200/Molinari/Todd
Molinari is a member here, but I am not a fan of Molinari and I enjoy Stewart Cink.
Hossler/CLARK+140/Fritelli
Wyndham Clark has been playing really good golf lately, and I think he could be the guy who wins you money this week.
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