Genesis Open Power Rankings: Top ten players to ride with at Riviera

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - AUGUST 20: Doc Redman and Doug Ghim play on the 10th green during the second round of the USGA U.S. Amateur Championship 36 hole final as Doug Ghim looks on on August 20, 2017 at the The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

5 of 11

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Matt Kuchar reacts to a birdie putt on the 11th hole during round one of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2016 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Matt Kuchar’s history at Riviera is somewhat of a microcosm of his career: Solid, but often unspectacular. He’s missed the cut just once in 11 tries, but hasn’t been able to make a charge on Sunday with a T8 his best result in 2016.

Still, he’s trending in a good direction at this event as he tied for 22nd in 2017. If not for a Saturday 73 and a runaway by Dustin Johnson, Kuchar could have very much been the thick of it last year.

The 39-year-old has been his usual self on the greens. He’s seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting. His flatstick helped him to a T5 finish recently at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Recently, Kuchar has struggled to close strong, averaging a fourth-round score of 71.75, good for just 124th on TOUR. If he can maintain some momentum through the weekend, Kuchar is primed to pick up his first win since 2015 sooner than you may expect.

Home/Golf Power Rankings