PGA Tour Genesis Invitational: Power ranking the top 10 at Riviera

Xander Schauffele is set to make his seventh start of the 2019-2020 season at Riviera. He’s just humming along quietly having a nice season. Though winless, the king of the limited field events has two runner-ups (WGC-HSBC Champions, Tournament of Champions) and a T-16 at his last start at the Phoenix Open.

The California native debuted at the Genesis Invitational in 2018 with a T-9 (71-70-68-66) and followed a year later with a T-15 (74-68-67-69).

A missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January was only his second MC since May. Only three other times in 14 total starts did he finish worse than 27th.

It’s remarkable consistency for a player in just his fourth year on Tour. The 26-year-old from La Jolla, California, won his fourth career event in 2019. He’s won every year he’s had his card.

Schauffele plays well against elite competition like he’ll see this week at the Genesis Invitational. He’s had success at the WGCs, Tournament of Champions, and lastly the majors where five of his 11 starts resulted in sixth place or better.

In a small sample size of nine measured rounds this season, Schauffele ranks second on Tour in strokes gained off the tee (1.110). As a reminder, gaining a full stroke in any SG category is phenomenal.

His putting hasn’t been up to snuff in 2019-2020, but he’s largely made up for it by ranking 10th in greens in regulation (75%).

Schauffele is hungry for a win as he’s got three runner-up finishes in his last eight starts.