Dustin Johnson, King of Riviera Country Club, Heavily Favored at Genesis Invitational

Dustin Johnson doesn’t win every time he shows up at the Riviera Country Club, but he’s been statistically dominant on the course, and that’s enough for sportsbooks to make him the overwhelming favorite at this weekend’s Genesis Invitational.

Johnson stands as the +550 pick to win the Genesis Invitational at DraftKings Sportsbook, far ahead of Jon Rahm (+1200) and Rory McIlroy (+1250).

Poised for Success at Riviera

Since 2014, Johnson leads in almost all relevant categories at Riviera, though he’s only won there once during that period – a five-shot victory in 2017.

.@DJohnsonPGA ranks at Riviera CC since 2014 (among players with 12+ rounds)

Scoring average – 1st
Score to par – 1st
Bogey avoidance – 1st
Drives of 300 or more – 1st
One putts – 1st
SG Total – 1st
SG Tee to Green – 1st

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 15, 2021

Johnson ranks as the No. 1 player in the world, and has won four times in his last nine starts. That would make him a favorite at any course. Throw in his historic success at Riviera, and it’s hard to see him struggling at the Genesis Invitational this weekend.

“I feel like I could always be better with every part of the game, but definitely can roll the putter better always,” Johnson told reporters. “I feel like the short game, you can always improve with that, too. But I feel like I’m swinging it pretty good, I’m happy with the way I’m swinging it, but there’s room for improvement I think throughout the bag.”

Oddsmakers expect something big out of Johnson this weekend, even if he doesn’t win. He stands as an outright favorite to finish in the top 10 (-162), and is almost as strong a bet to finish in the top five (+120).

But Johnson faces plenty of competition this weekend. The Genesis Invitational features a world-class field, with 11 of the top 15 players in the world teeing it up. Along with Rahm and McIlroy, Justin Thomas (+1400), Patrick Cantlay (+1600), Bryson DeChambeau (+1700), Tony Finau (+2200), and Brooks Koepka (+2500) will be in the hunt for a title at Riviera.

Schauffele Looks for Overdue Win at Genesis Invitational

Bettors who want to back a hot golfer might take a look at Xander Schauffele (+1550). While he hasn’t picked up any wins this season, Schauffele has accumulated five top-five finishes in seven starts, including two consecutive runner-up finishes.

“A lot of good and no wins so far,” Schauffele said, via Golfweek. “Overall I’m pretty happy with how I’m playing. Coming down the stretch, just really believe in what you’ve got and at the end of the day, that’s kind of all it is. You could be playing incredible golf and if you kind of doubt yourself for a second, it’s going to catch you at the wrong time, and I think that’s kind of what it’s been for me.”

According to Schauffele, strategic play will be the key to success at Riviera this weekend.

“Because there isn’t a whole lot of trouble on the property in terms of like penalties, you sort of get a little impatient and get aggressive when you shouldn’t, and you kind of pick up a bogey or double bogey pretty quickly, and it’s probably the most frustrating way to do it,” Schauffele said. “So I think patience is big out here.”