Genesis Invitational: Top 10 power rankings at Riviera

6 of 11

February 15, 2019; Pacific Palisades, CA, USA; Bryson DeChambeau hits from the second hole tee box during the continuation of first round play in the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

For as long as Riviera has been around, the par-4 closing hole has been a brute. It requires a good, sizable drive and even then it requires a mid to long iron shot to hit the elevated green.

It’ll be interesting to see if Bryson DeChambeau makes a mockery of the 478-yarder. His goal of gaining power and distance to bludgeon courses to death has been largely effective. Most notable was his U.S. Open win as well as a runaway at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

The big golfer comes to the Genesis Invitational on a week of rest. He’s still rounding into form for 2021, but T-7th in his first start of the year at the Tournament of Champions followed by T-18th against a strong field at the European Tour’s Saudi Invitational are good starting points.

DeChambeau is making his fifth appearance at Riviera. He was on his way to missing the cut in his debut in 2017 before withdrawing in the second round.

It’s gotten better from there.

Bryson finished T-41st in 2018 (71-69-72-72), T-15th in 2019 (70-68-69-71) and T-5th (68-70-69-69) a year ago at the Genesis Invitational.

The former SMU Mustang ranked first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained driving (1.039) and is in first this season (1.406). He was fourth in the field at the 2020 Genesis Invitational at .945 per round and hit the ball well enough to win. DeChambeau ranked 74th in SG putting (-.398).

He was 10th last season in SG putting (.658), so it’s hard to see him rolling it any worse.

DeChambeau is a native of Clovis, California, about three hours north of Los Angeles. It’s surprising to see he’s never won in his home state. That could very well change given the way he’s trending at this event.

Home/Golf Power Rankings