The Rundown: 2023 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club

The PGA season is full steam ahead with the 3rd elevated event of the Season. The Genesis Invitational will host an incredible field and it has gotten even better with host Tiger Woods announcing he’ll also play in the event.

Last year, Joaquin Niemann went wire to wire to win the Genesis at 19 under par. He had a shaky start to his Sunday but chipped in from 45 feet for eagle on the 11th hole. Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young came in 2nd with Hovland, Scheffler, Thomas, and Rory all also in the top ten. In 2021 Max Homa won in a playoff over Tony Finau at 19 under par.

The Genesis Invitational is played at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA.

It is a 7,322-yard par 71 with Poa greens. Driving distance matters a lot at Riviera but driving accuracy not so much. Missing fairways isn’t the end of the world with the shorter rough, therefore, most golfers will be going for distance. With that being said, driving distance actually comes in slightly under the tour average at 282 yards.

With less concern about missing fairways, Driving Accuracy comes in well under the tour average at 54 percent.

Hole number one is a 503-yard par 5 that plays as one of the easiest par fives on tour. There are six par 4s that are between 450-500 yards. Par is a good score on these holes since they are some of the hardest holes on the course.

Mid to long irons are a must with 27% of approach shots coming from 150-175 yards, 23% from 175-200 yards, and 23% 200 yards or more. Naturally, longer iron shots lead to one of the lower GIR percentages on tour coming in at 57%.

Missed greens require some finesse around the greens so bombers or long iron players with a short game should be the preferred profile.

The field consists of 132 golfers with the Top 65 and ties making the cut after 36 holes to play the weekend.

The Genesis Invitational: Key Stats and Figures

• Driving Distance
• Par 4s 450-500 yards
• Around the Green
• Proximity 150-200 yds

Historic Cut Line

• 2022: +1
• 2021: +1
• 2020: +2
• 2019: +1
• 2018: +3

Previous Winners

2022: Joaquin Niemann-19
2021: Max Homa -12
2020: Adam Scott -11
2019: JB Holmes -14
2018: Bubba Watson -12