Genesis Open

[Bamford]

 The Riviera Country Club is always a highlight on the PGA Tour. Hogan's Alley is a beautiful, old classical course, which many can't get on with. Los Angeles has had plenty of rain in the New Year, so expect cut in the turf, which will only be enhanced by a day of rain on Friday, which will see a gnarly front pass through. So soft course specialists will likely gravitate to the top of the leaderboard. Spieth, Day, Matsuyama, Mickelson and Moore top my rankings when it comes to receptive courses per se.

3 on my shopping list this week. I missed the scarce 10/1 on Dustin Johnson, but like his chances enough at 9/1. As much a course specialist as Bubba Watson, his liking for classical courses is obvious enough. Love his high, fade shot shape as well for the Riviera test and his win at Crooked Stick last year was on a sodden golf course. That takes me onto Sergio Garcia who at 25/1 is unlikely to go back-to-back on his PGA Tour 2017 debut. However he tends to perform well the outing after a win and his liking for Riviera is clear to see. High, long and again like his fade shape. A must each-way punt.

Finally the 66s lasted a few minutes, yesterday but J.B. Holmes is another I like at 50/1. Another power ball-striker, he's been all over the place at Torrey Pines and Scottsdale, but Pebble Beach saw him sneak into the top 13 for ball-striking and 7th for GIR. Classical course positive, Holmes has an excellent record at Riviera and on the West Coast in-general.

Edited February 14, 2017 by Bamford

[StevieDay1983]

Jordan Spieth the obvious favourite but I actually fancy Matsuyama. He's tipped for big things this year and this tournament could be the first where he impresses. Definitely backing him for an each way bet.