There’s good reason to be excited about this week’s field at the Genesis Invitational at historic Riviera Country Club.
This is the first time the field at Riviera includes all of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Not even the 1995 PGA Championship had all 10, Bernhard Langer missed it with a back injury.
It’s also the first time since 2007 that a Tour event has the entire top 10. Majors, WGC and Players Championships excluded.
Yes, there all here with Tiger Woods as host and hopefully El Tigre has a chauffeur this week.
So this is a good time to take a quick look/evaluation/critique of the current world’s Top 10.
No. 1: Jon Rahm:
Hard to imagine that the world’s No. 1 hasn’t won an event since last year’s U.S. Open but that’s the sad fact for Rahm. He was second at the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, tied for third at The Farmers and tied for 10th last week in Phoenix. Consistent yes, spectacular? No. Rahm received great news this week when he was voted as Player Of The Year on the DP World (European) Tour. For the honor he receives the Seve Ballesteros Award. DP World Tour boss Keith Pelly was on hand at Riviera this week to present the award to Rahm.
No. 2: Collin Morikawa:
He’s Mr. Consistency. Second at the C.J. Cup, tied for second at the Zozo and finished outside the top 10 at the Tournament of Champions. Made two trips to the Middle East as the 2021 Race To Dubai winner but neither produced a win. Won twice last season including his second major — The Open Championship. Has had putting issues with the greens at Riviera.
No. 3: Patrick Cantlay:
Had to be a blow to his reputation losing that playoff to Scottie Scheffler last Sunday. Came up with only one birdie on the back nine at TPC Scottsdale. The wedge shots he hit in the playoff, and he had three of them, none were world No. 3-worthy. Needs to prove he can be a factor in the majors this season as last year, he wasn’t.
No. 4: Viktor Hovland:
Won at Mayakoba in November, The Hero in December and the Dubai Desert Classic in January. Winning is good. It’s what top 10 players are supposed to do and this should be a big year for young Viktor. But this week, the winner will have to be really sharp around the greens and that’s where Viktor, by his own admission, has a lot of room for improvement.
No. 5: Rory McIlroy:
This will be Rory’s first PGA Tour appearance for 2021. He played twice in the Middle East last month and basically blew the Dubai Desert Classic when he dunked his second shot into the water on the 72nd hole — handing the win to Hovland. Rory got back on track last season wiht a win at the Wells Fargo. With his talent, he should never be outside the top five.
No. 6: Dustin Johnson:
D.J. keeps slipping downward. Hasn’t won since the 2021 Saudi Invitational. With a wedding sometime this year, could his mind be elsewhere? Tough to judge where D.J.’s mind is most of the time anyway.
No. 7: Xander Schauffele:
Proves you don’t have to win to be a star on the PGA Tour. Played well in Phoenix but he still has that big hook with the tee shot going when the heat is turned up.
No. 8: Justin Thomas:
His last win was The Players last year. Lots of top 10s. Shaky putting, driver runs hot and cold.
No. 9: Scottie Scheffler:
This top 10 machine finally got a win last week in Phoenix. Couldn’t make the six-footer on the 72nd green to win outright. Got help in the playoff because Cantlay couldn’t get a wedge shot close in three tries.
No. 10: Hideki Matsuyama:
Won the Sony after having a good fall, winning in his home country at Zozo. Looking for a big year from Hideki.
So now we ask if one of these top 10 players will step you and, you know, actually win this week at Riviera.
Riviera requires everything from driver to putter. Pretty thorough examination of your game.
So who won last year? Max Homa. Not sure anyone saw Max coming. Which of these top 10 will be in contention come Sunday? They all should.
And yes, there’s the host, it’s Tiger watching week.
And please, you folks at Genesis, don’t hand Tiger a key fob.
Television Times:
Thursday and Friday: The Golf Channel 4 p.m. (ET) to 8 p.m. (ET)
Saturday: The Golf Channel 1 p.m. (ET) to 3 p.m. (ET); CBS 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: The Golf Channel 1 p.m. (ET) to 3 p.m. (ET); CBS 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
7 Comments
baxter cepeda
Xander looked so good last week….thought he was going to win. It all derailed after he went in the water left on 11 when he could have easily hit less than driver like Brooks did successfully. Funny thing is Xander wisely hit less than driver on 10 successfully while Brooks went in the fairway bunker with driver. Something to remember in this era of closest to the hole off the tee wins.
Anyhow I can’t remember Xman doing much at Riv. But hooks off the tee won’t kill him at Riv and he is a Poa guy. So I can see Xander finally getting back in the win column in a tournament that pays actual money (not medals).
I can also see Cantlay and Rory doing well…of course.
He hasn’t been in great form but this could easily be one of those weeks DJ kinda comes out of nowhere.
I’d also look out for his old bash bro Brooks. Cupcakes definitely looks good lately. And this is a major type track, which outside of scottsdale is where he shines.
And why not give bubba some love? He has been relevant lately and that win by teddy Scott has to motivate just as he goes to one of the ultimate Bubba playgrounds.
He hasn’t shown much lately but I would consider Tony Finau who lost in that playoff to Max last year. He has been quiet lately likely due to a loss in the family. But eventually mourning turns to motivation. It could be about that time for Tony.
And then there is Theegala. I don’t think he will be ready to content after all the emotions of just last week, but I wanted to include him just because he is that likeable. I can see a lot of folks placing bets on him for that reason alone. And who knows maybe it works out if the rookie can just put last week behind him emotionally. From what we saw, that won’t be easy for him.
Tom Edrington
So many great players in this QUALITY field to choose from…..can’t wait for Tiger’s update Wednesday afternoon, call it STATE OF THE BODY ADDRESS
baxter cepeda
Typically the reporters didn’t ask any clear cut questions so even an open Tiger (as he was today) leaves us with more questions than answers. The golf channel guys even started an unofficial new segment where they tell fans to interpret what Tiger said to those questions.
Someone kept asking Tiger about the par 3 contest which Tiger said he could play today. Obviously. Although I will say the par 3 course has much steeper, sketchier steps than the big course. Just ask Tony Finau.
The question that needed to be asked today is if the ‘22 Masters are officially a zero percent chance?
The answer may be obvious …but why not ask?
All someone had to say: So considering it’s a month or so away does this mean the masters are officially off the table this year Tiger?
You know what they say: it doesn’t hurt to ask. I will add it doesn’t hurt to ask clear cut questions.
I was surprised tiger said he hasn’t done any “serious” work with the longer clubs considering what we saw at The Hero and the PNC. Huge buckets of balls and long clubs were a daily occurrence during those 2 weeks, which were weeks ago.
It’s worth noting that when Tiger says his practice hasn’t been “serious” or “as much as I want to” it could still be a whole lot of work for most tour pros.
While the progress report on his health was vague, what is evident is that Tiger is extremely engaged in the game, his foundation, and his family.
He will be back, obviously in a limited way—when was the last time Tiger didn’t play in a limited capacity?— but unfortunately he says even he doesn’t know when. I actually believe him.
I just wish some of the questions were better.
Tom Edrington
I will address shortly; You will notice that there was about 15 minutes of high-lob softballs before they opened it up…..my take coming shortly.
baxter cepeda
Opened what up?
I’m not saying Tiger needs to be interrogated or something.
I Just wish the folks in that privileged position knew how to ask questions people want answers to. It’s like the art of the follow up question is dead in golf journalism.
Tom Edrington
It’s because REAL golf journalism died with all the newspapers…..which had actual, you know, golf writers…
baxter cepeda
This is true. But at the same time there are still old school newspaper writers in the room like Ferguson; the guys whom are supposed to be the cream of the crop at asking these basic questions.