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Jason Day will play in the Genesis Open. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
• COURSE: Riviera Country Club, 7,322 yards, par 71. From the days when Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin graced its fairways, Riviera has commanded its own star power since first opening its doors in 1927. Designer George Thomas pored over 15 possible layouts before settling on one that now features some of the TOUR’s most iconic holes. The par-3 sixth is famed for its bunker in the middle of the green, and No.10 is widely considered the best drivable par-4 in golf. The Los Angeles Open first arrived in 1929, and Ben Hogan’s three wins in an 18-month span – two L.A. Opens and the 1948 U.S. Open – earned Riviera the nickname “Hogan’s Alley.” This summer, the U.S. Amateur arrives for the first time.
• FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points.
• CHARITY: The Tiger Woods Foundation becomes the tournament’s primary beneficiary this year, directing proceeds to the Earl Woods Scholarship Program and other TWF college-access initiatives in Southern California.
• FIELD WATCH: World No.1 Jason Day returns to Riviera for the first time since 2012, joining FedExCup points leader Hideki Matsuyama and defending champion Bubba Watson in easily the best field since the calendar turned to 2017. … The lineup features eight of the top 10 in the world rankings and 16 of the top 25. … Spain’s Sergio Garcia, fresh off a win in Dubai, and Australia’s Adam Scott make their first U.S. appearances since last year’s FedExCup playoffs. … Woods will be limited to host duties this week, with his newest back woes scuttling plans to play his first Riviera rounds in a decade.
• 72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Lanny Wadkins (1985).
• 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, George Archer (3rd round, 1983 at Rancho Park GC), Ted Tryba (3rd round, 1999 at Riviera CC).
• LAST YEAR: Watson began the week with a kidney stone and ended it with a trophy, showing doggedness on both fronts to end his week with a one-shot triumph over Scott and Jason Kokrak. Two shots off the pace with four holes to play, Watson birdied two of his last three to push past the faltering Kokrak and stay a step ahead of Scott. The clincher came at the par-5 17th, when Watson belted a 334-yard drive and ripped a 2-iron to the back of the green that led to a two-putt birdie. Kokrak held the lead until he made bogey from the fairway at No.15, and Scott’s hot start cooled off in the middle before a closing chip-in gave him hope until Watson’s birdie at No.17. Watson’s ninth career PGA TOUR title was his first with a kidney stone as an added keepsake.
• STORYLINES: Another victory by Watson would give him three in four years, the first to accomplish that feat at Riviera. Mickelson has come close, losing a playoff to Charles Howell III in 2007 before winning the next two. Fred Couples also finished second in 1993 after wins in 1990 and ’02. … The top 50 in the world rankings after the Genesis Open can make plans for next month’s WGC-Mexico Championship. European Ryder Cup breakout Thomas Pieters is on the bubble at No.50, seeking to move up at Riviera. … Kevin Hall, deaf since the age of 2, will play on the tournament’s Charlie Sifford Exemption created to promote diversity. Hall is a former Ohio State player who now competes on various developmental tours.
• SHORT CHIPS: Fred Couples is a noticeable absence this year, as the two-time Riviera winner cuts back his plans. The 57-year-old pro made 34 starts in a 36-year span, but admitted this week that he’ll “probably never go again.” … Pat Perez hasn’t missed Riviera since he joined the PGA TOUR in 2002, but his perfect attendance at West Coast Swing starts is over. He sat out the CareerBuilder Challenge, ending a run of 57 straight West Coast events for which he was eligible. … With injury keeping Woods sidelined, Riviera shall remain the only PGA TOUR stop he’s played at least five times without winning. Woods has made 11 attempts, including two as an amateur.
• TELEVISION: Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (CBS). Sunday, 1-2:30 p.m. (GC), 3-6:30 p.m. (CBS).
• PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. ET (featured groups), 3-6 p.m. (featured holes). Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (featured groups). Sunday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (featured holes).
• RADIO: Thursday-Friday, noon-6 p.m. ET. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, 1-7 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com).
The PGSF rolls into week 7 ( really?) with Mr January trying to run away with it on the west coast swing. Riviera is a great old course , that always seems to provide a good tourney
Congratulations again to last weeks winner Bobcat
good luck to everyone this week
