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Power Rankings: Genesis Open
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February 11, 2019
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Highlights
Justin Thomas' confident approach at Genesis Open
Just like that, we've arrived at the conclusion of another West Coast Swing. And where better to call it a wrap than in Los Angeles.
As it often has since its first spin as host of the Genesis Open 90 years ago, Riviera Country Club – a famous walk officially in Pacific Palisades, California, so it's close to the Walk of Fame – serves as the backdrop. The par 71 tipping at 7,322 yards is known as Hogan's Alley and site of one of the best par 4s on the planet – the 315-yard 10th hole. With additional uncommon components such as the elevated tee box hard against the clubhouse on the par-5 first hole and the bunker in the middle of the par-3 sixth, the imagery is among the finest on display.
Amid the beauty and classic design is a stern challenge for all of the senses. Scroll beneath the ranking for more on what attributes define the champion, what this week's field of 144 can expect and more
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 15 
Adam Scott As long as he keeps popping up with regularity, he demands respect and attention where he's performed repeatedly well. Since his official win here in 2005, he's added six top-20s.As long as he keeps popping up with regularity, he demands respect and attention where he's performed repeatedly well. Since his official win here in 2005, he's added six top-20s.14 
Bryson DeChambeau Since opening the 2018 FedExCup Playoffs with two wins, he's gone on to add another victory (Shriners) and four top-10s in 2019 alone, including yet another title in Dubai. Third start at the Riv.Since opening the 2018 FedExCup Playoffs with two wins, he's gone on to add another victory (Shriners) and four top-10s in 2019 alone, including yet another title in Dubai. Third start at the Riv.13 
Patrick Cantlay In sitting out last week's stop at Pebble Beach due to an illness, he's had two weeks off. Seeking to climb the ladder at Riviera after last year's T4 when he led the field in GIR.In sitting out last week's stop at Pebble Beach due to an illness, he's had two weeks off. Seeking to climb the ladder at Riviera after last year's T4 when he led the field in GIR.12 
Matt Kuchar He's connected for only one top-15 in last nine appearances (T8, 2016), but four went for top 25s. That success rate projects to continue with an injection of his phenomenal form upon arrival.He's connected for only one top-15 in last nine appearances (T8, 2016), but four went for top 25s. That success rate projects to continue with an injection of his phenomenal form upon arrival.11 
Jon Rahm Since he's flourished as a first-timer in spots for which experience has seemed necessary, he's the only debutant on this page. No worse than T10 in last six starts worldwide, including Hero win.Since he's flourished as a first-timer in spots for which experience has seemed necessary, he's the only debutant on this page. No worse than T10 in last six starts worldwide, including Hero win.10 
Tony Finau Proved last year that he's so underrated in adapting to any course. The co-runner-up led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, ranked T3 in GIR and finished T2 in bogey avoidance.Proved last year that he's so underrated in adapting to any course. The co-runner-up led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, ranked T3 in GIR and finished T2 in bogey avoidance.9 
Cameron Smith Already in fourth visit (3-for-3; T6 in 2018 – led field in bogey avoidance), the 25-year-old Aussie enters with top 25s in five of six starts this season. They bridged a win and a T10 at home.Already in fourth visit (3-for-3; T6 in 2018 – led field in bogey avoidance), the 25-year-old Aussie enters with top 25s in five of six starts this season. They bridged a win and a T10 at home.8 
Paul Casey Motoring along with a runner-up finishes in his last two starts worldwide. He's perfect in six trips to Riviera since 2008 with a playoff loss in 2015 the most recent of a trio of top 25s.Motoring along with a runner-up finishes in his last two starts worldwide. He's perfect in six trips to Riviera since 2008 with a playoff loss in 2015 the most recent of a trio of top 25s.7 
Hideki Matsuyama His world-class tee-to-green game didn't waste any time at Riviera where he went T23-T4-T11 in first three tries. Arrives warm with a T3 at Torrey Pines and T15 at TPC Scottsdale.His world-class tee-to-green game didn't waste any time at Riviera where he went T23-T4-T11 in first three tries. Arrives warm with a T3 at Torrey Pines and T15 at TPC Scottsdale.6 
Xander Schauffele His T9 as a first-timer here last year says everything you need to know about how well his game travels regardless of experience. The 25-year-old checks all of the boxes.His T9 as a first-timer here last year says everything you need to know about how well his game travels regardless of experience. The 25-year-old checks all of the boxes.5 
Rory McIlroy Streamlining his focus for 2019 paid early dividends in debuts at Kapalua (T4) and Torrey Pines (T5). Now making third appearance at Riviera where he's finished T20 twice (2016, 2018).Streamlining his focus for 2019 paid early dividends in debuts at Kapalua (T4) and Torrey Pines (T5). Now making third appearance at Riviera where he's finished T20 twice (2016, 2018).4 
Justin Thomas Only 12 rounds contribute but no one is better in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green and strokes gained: Tee-to-Green. Also third in proximity and 4-for-4 at Riviera with a T9 last year.Only 12 rounds contribute but no one is better in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green and strokes gained: Tee-to-Green. Also third in proximity and 4-for-4 at Riviera with a T9 last year.3 
Phil Mickelson Fresh off a convincing win at Pebble Beach, don't rule out him ripping off another one at Riviera where he's 9-for-9 since 2007 with two victories and a pair of runner-up finishes.Fresh off a convincing win at Pebble Beach, don't rule out him ripping off another one at Riviera where he's 9-for-9 since 2007 with two victories and a pair of runner-up finishes.2 
Dustin Johnson No one is immune to scuffling in tough conditions. That helps explain an uncharacteristically pedestrian T45 at Pebble Beach. Six top-three finishes at Riviera, including the 2017 title.No one is immune to scuffling in tough conditions. That helps explain an uncharacteristically pedestrian T45 at Pebble Beach. Six top-three finishes at Riviera, including the 2017 title.1 
Bubba Watson All three of his top 10s at Riviera are wins, but he has another four top-20s as well. Placed T4 two weeks ago at TPC Scottsdale where he led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green.All three of his top 10s at Riviera are wins, but he has another four top-20s as well. Placed T4 two weeks ago at TPC Scottsdale where he led the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green.Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, Marc Leishman, Adam Hadwin and Sergio Garcia will be among the notables covered in Tuesday's Fantasy Insider.
If it wasn't so doggone relevant, it'd be trite to cite that experience matters at Riviera. Bubba Watson is defending for the third time, so that's a shortcut narrative in describing the value of knowing how to navigate the property, but he appeared seven times before his first title in 2014. James Hahn, who won in his third start in 2015, is the only winner of the last 13 editions who needed fewer than five starts before lifting the trophy.
No doubt the construct of the field, replete with winners and PGA TOUR members of considerable regard, yields a leaderboard worth its weight in FedExCup points. Riviera does the rest.
Golf, when played as it's meant to be played, is a contest in taking the fewest strokes, not making the most birdies and better. This is revealed on a proper track, especially. So, identifying winners at Riviera isn't as much of a quest in understanding what they did well as it is an understanding of how each didn't fail.
In near-perfect conditions last year, Riviera hit bull's-eyes across the spectrum. As it should. Watson prevailed by two at 12-under 272, the field averaged 71.759 and the greens were the most difficult to find in regulation (53.49 percent or 9.6 per round) of any course on TOUR since it recorded the stingiest split in 2015 (51.38 percent). The weather won't cooperate early this week as rain likely will fall during the first round. Its threat will persist into the weekend and daytime highs may not reach 60 degrees. Prevailing winds from a westerly direction also figure to be sustained at 10-15 mph throughout.
Watson's formula for success last year transcends the weather, however. He finished second in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, T7 in greens hit, ninth in proximity, 21st in Strokes Gained: Putting and T5 in bogey avoidance. It's evidence of why it's imperative to avoid inch-a-and-half kikuyu rough and how to read the undulations on bentgrass-Poa greens that are prepped to run 12-and-a-half feet on the Stimpmeter.
ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled.
MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings
TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider
WEDNESDAY: One & Done
THURSDAY: Champions One & Done
* - Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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