Genesis Invitational Betting Preview: Patrick Cantlay and Brooks Koepka Set for Strong Showings

Genesis Invitational Betting Preview: Patrick Cantlay and Brooks Koepka Set for Strong Showings

All ten of the world’s top 10-ranked players will be on hand this week in Southern California, as Riviera Country Club plays host to the Genesis Invitational. Last week at the Waste Management Open, Scottie Scheffler out-dualed Patrick Cantlay to win the event in a playoff, as big names such as Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele lurked just behind.

With an increasingly star-studded event for this event each year, which is hosted by none other than Tiger Woods himself, the Genesis has become an unofficial start to Major season as The Masters are now two months away. Let’s take a deeper look at this week’s field, which features almost every single top-20 player in the world. 

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Past Winners of The Genesis Invitational

• 2021: Max Homa
• 2020: Adam Scott
• 2019: JB Holmes

Course Preview: Riviera Country Club

Coming in at 7,322 yards and a Par 71, Riviera is slightly longer than the Tour average. Long considered by many to be one of the best golf courses in the country, it’s played host to three majors, and was recently announced to host the 2028 Olympics when they come to the Los Angeles area.

As for the course’s features, Poa is the green surface of choice, while the Kikuyu rough is some of the densest on Tour. Driving distance will be key, as Riviera is sprinkled with long Par 4s that the heavy hitters will have an advantage on. 

Relevant Betting Course Metrics

• SG: Driving Distance
• SG: Off-The-Tee
• Poa Greens
• SG: Par 4s 400-500 Yards

Outright Picks

Patrick Cantlay (+1200) (Bet $100 to win $1200)

There are few guys as dialed in as Cantlay to start this 2021-22 season and things appear to only be getting started for the 29-year-old. Having played in just four events as he ramps up to the Major season, Cantlay has finished no lower than 9th place shooting all but two rounds at 68 or below. 

Last weekend at the Waste Management, Cantlay shot a Sunday 67 to force a playoff with Scottie Sheffler before finishing solo second. And then there’s his history at Riviera. In his last four laps here, Cantlay has finished 17th or better in all four, as his game is tailored quite well for this track currently #6 on Tour in SG: Off-The-Tee

Brooks Koepka (+3500) (Bet $100 to win $3500)

Don’t look now but Koepka is starting to get his swag back. A week removed from missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open, Koepka shot a pair of 66’s heading into the weekend at the Waste Management Open, ultimately finishing T3. It marked his third event in four tries finishing T28 or better, as always performed better the more elite the rest of the field.

In last year’s Genesis, Koepka still managed to finish 38th despite a Saturday 77 that derailed his chances to go lower. Currently #3 in Driving Distance (All Drives) and #16 in Birdie Average on Tour, I like for Koepka to treat this Major-like tournament as just that, and be in contention once again some Sunday.

The Genesis Invitational Winner Betting Odds

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