The 2017 edition of the Genesis Open features easily the best field of the young PGA Tour season, as eight of the top 10 in the World Golf Rankings will make an appearance at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California this weekend.
When it comes to odds lists, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson are +750 co-favorites. The 23-year-old Spieth is less than a week removed from a dominating performance at Pebble Beach that saw him easily breeze to victory on Sunday, ending the tournament four strokes ahead of second-place finisher Kelly Kraft.
Hideki Matsuyama (+1100), Jason Day (+1200), Sergio Garcia (+2200), Adam Scott (+2200), Justin Thomas (+2500), Justin Rose (+3000), Phil Mickelson (+3300) and Bubba Watson (+3500) are behind Spieth and Johnson.
Watson is the defending champion, but I wouldn’t recommend backing him to do it again in the Golden State. Watson recently missed the cut at the Phoenix Open before finishing well back of the pack at the SBS Tournament of Champions. Past results are one thing, but current form is much more important in golf betting, and the veteran simply doesn’t have it going right now.
Keep an eye out for Johnson. The 2016 U.S. Open Sportsbook has posted five top-four finishes at Riviera in his last seven visits, and it wouldn’t be much of a shock if he collected his first victory at the course this time around. He’s looked like a different player after getting the major monkey off his back, and confidence is clearly not an issue for the No. 3-ranked player in the world.
The Genesis Open features some of the most recognizable settings in golf, specifically the sixth and 10th holes. The par-3 sixth is famed for its bunker in the middle of the green, while the 315-yard No. 10 is widely considered the most drivable hole on the Tour.
Here’s a look at the shop’s odds. Who are you putting your money on?