Genesis Open: Power ranking the top 10 at Riviera

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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks across the 13th hole during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

Rory McIlroy has gone nearly a full calendar year since his win last March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He may not be far off from ending that streak.

No one doubts the 29-year-old can crush the ball, and he’s backing it up by sitting first on Tour this season in strokes gained off the tee, even at 196th in driving accuracy.

He’s also 18th in approaches from 160-175 yards and 41st in strokes gained around the green.

These stats stem from a pair of solid starts to open 2019: a T4 at the Tournament of Champions and T5 at the Farmers Insurance Open.

This year will be Rory’s third start at Riviera. He posted T20 finishes in 2016 and 2018 with rounds of 67-69-67-75 and 71-69-73-68. Get rid of those two sideways rounds and he’s a contender both times.

"“As golf course architecture goes, it’s one of the best out here, one of the best we play,” McIlroy said in 2018. “Tour courses have to be of a certain size and certain — we don’t necessarily go to the best golf courses in the country because of that, but this is definitely one of them. It’s great to be able to play here.”"

While McIlroy’s value will go up in the coming weeks when he gets to Florida, there’s still some value in rolling with Rory to close out the West Coast swing.

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