Preview

Starts: 15th February 2024
Course: Riviera CC, California
Par: 71
Length: 7,322 yards
2023 Champion: Jon Rahm

PGA Tour Genesis Invitational Picks 2024

2024 Genesis Invitational Course Info

Designer: Neville and Thomas 1926 with Fazio re-design 2008.
Hosted since: 1973.
Course type: Classical, Tree Lined, Undulating.
Fairways: Narrow to average width, Kikuyugrass
Rough: Kikuyugrass, relatively low.
Greens: Poa Annua, 12 on the Stimp, surrounding run off areas.
Water Hazards: None.
Par 5's: 1st, 11th and 17th.
Premium on: Strong approach play.

Originally known as the Los Angeles Open, the Genesis Invitational was first played at Riviera Country Club in 1929.  In recent years this event has become synonymous with Tiger Woods and media coverage will once again be focusing on the former world number one as he makes his first start of 2024.  Just as it was in 2024, this event is a Signature event with a $20m prize fund.
 

2024 Genesis Invitational Trends

Winning Score
The last eight tournaments played at Riviera have had winning scores ranging from -11 to -19.  

Price of Winner
Six of the last eight winners have started at 50/1 or less. JB Holmes won at 150/1 in 2019 and James Hahn won at 200/1 in 2015 but the fields have got stronger here in recent years meaning one of the world's best usually prevails. Even Max Homa who started at triple figure odds in 2021 went on to establish himself as a double winner on tour that year.

Correlating Courses
Torrey Pines, which hosts the Farmers Insurance Open, also uses Kikuya grass with Poa Annua greens. There is a clear correlation to success at the Masters and success here with past winners at both including Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson.

Course Form
This is a course where you need plenty of course experience to succeed. Six out of the last eight had at least two top 15's prior to winning. Side with strong course experience when making your 2024 PGA Tour Genesis Invitational picks.

Recent Form
Niemann arrived in strong form last year, as did Max Homa in 2021. 2020 winner Adam Scott had won his previous start at the Australian PGA but both runners up, Sung Kang and Scott Brown, missed their previous cut at Pebble Beach. Past winners JB Holmes (2019) and Bubba Watson (2015) had both missed the cut at Pebble prior to winning but had shown glimpses before that. Recent editions have suggested coming in with strong form helps.

Nationality
Since 2010, we have had ten American winners, two Australian winners, one Chilean winner and one Spanish winner. The Kikuyagrass rough used is similar to the rough used in Australia and South Africa. 

Age
Winners have been a mix of ages in this event.  There are no significant trends.

Previous PGA Tour wins
James Hahn (2015) is the only winner in the past ten years who hadn't won an event previously on the PGA Tour.

The Genesis Invitational 2024 Trends Shortlist

Using the information above, we have taken into account the three most relevant trends to establish a shortlist of potential winners and make golf picks. Genesis Invitational trends used were:

✅ Two top 15 finishes at this event previously
✅ At least one PGA Tour win

Scottie Scheffler
Rory McIlroy
Viktor Hovland
Xander Schauffele
Max Homa
Patrick Cantlay
Collin Morikawa
Justin Thomas
Jordan Spieth
Tony Finau
Adam Scott
Keegan Bradley
Will Zalatoris
Hideki Matsuyama
Harris English
Matt Kuchar
Tiger Woods
Charley Hoffman

What Does The Identikit Sentry Winner Look Like?

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2024 Genesis Invitational Stats Analysis

We are looking for a player with high SG: Off The Tee and SG: Approach stats when making our 2024 Genesis Invitational tips.

SG: Off The Tee
Five of the last eight winners ranked inside the top 20. However, each of the past two winners was outside the top 20.  Jon Rahm ranked 28th in SG: Off The Tee when winning last year and Joaquin Niemann was just outside the top 20 in 2022.  Strong driving is preferred when making your 2024 Genesis Invitational picks.

SG: Approach
Five of the past eight winners have been in the top six and all eight were in the top 21. Our 2024 Genesis Invitational predictions will all be strong iron players.

SG: Around The Green
Only three out of the last eight winners has ranked inside the top 10 for SG: Around The Green which is surprising given the amount of missed greens. Niemann was 2nd in this category last year. We would still like players with a tidy short game.

SG: Putting
Jon Rahm ranked 12th for SG: Putting on his way to victory last year.  Niemann ranked outside the top 30 in 2022 but 2021 winner Max Homa ranked 7th in this category. JB Holmes was 1st for this category in 2019 but the 2018 and 2020 winners only ranked 27th and 21st. Tee to green is preferred this week as everyone tends to struggle on the greens a little here. 

2024 Genesis Invitational In-Play Advice

Tough Holes
The par 3 4th, par 4's 12th and 15th plays over par. 

Birdie Holes
The 511 yard par 5 1st is the easiest hole on the course. The driveable par 4 10th and the other two par 5's (11th and 17th) are all very scoreable.  The back nine needs to be taken advantage of.

Closing Stretch
The 16th is a relatively simple par 3.  The 17th is a 589 yard par 5, and the par 4 18th is a tough finishing hole requiring a good drive and long iron shot.

Fast or Slow Start
Six of the last eight winners have all been within three shots after round one.  It pays to get off to a fast start at the Genesis Invitational.

Previous Genesis Invitational tips

You can access our historical Genesis Invitational picks and in-play blogs using the links below:

2023 Genesis Invitational Picks

2022 Genesis Invitational Picks 

2021 Genesis Invitational Picks

2024 Genesis Invitational Tips