2023 Genesis Invitational: Top 10 Power Rankings at Riviera
Perhaps Max Homa was a little nervous playing a professional tournament in his backyard. Now, it appears he’s feeling right at home.
The product of Valencia, California, missed the cut in his first two tries at the Genesis Invitational in 2014 and 2015. Homa didn’t return until 2019 when he finally found the money with a T-37th (69-70-64-69) finish.
By his next visit in 2020, Homa was starting to come into his own on the PGA Tour after several years of bouncing between the Korn Ferry Tour and the big leagues. The Cal-Berkeley alum already had a PGA Tour win under his belt at the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship.
He didn’t win at Riviera in 2020 but he got in the mix taking T-5th (72-69-65-70). Homa was just a shot out of a tie for second and three off the lead.
That set the table for what still is his top win out of five for his career. Rounds of 66-70-70-66 got him into a playoff, where he defeated Tony Finau. Homa blew a chance to win in regulation by missing a three-footer, but he made amends in extra holes.
Homa defended his title well in 2022, taking T-10th (66-70-67-71).
"“I think I have a game that fits difficult golf courses and I finally started to build a mind that fits difficult golf courses,” Homa was transcribed by Tee Scripts in 2021. “So I come here where I know it very well, I feel very comfortable. I think it’s the best golf course in the world.”"
He’ll be a fan favorite at Riviera, but that’s really the case every week for the affable golfer.
Homa is a recent winner in California both in going back-to-back at the Fortinet Championship in the fall and a couple of weeks ago at the Farmers Insurance Open.
He’s coming off T-39th last week at the WM Phoenix Open. The 32-year-old has made his last six cuts dating back to July.
Homa is sixth on the PGA Tour per round in total strokes gained (2.020), 14th in SG tee to green (1.31), and 20th in SG putting (.710).
He’s also 18th in approach proximity from 175-200 yards (31’) and 18th in bogey avoidance (11.11%).