It's Riv time -one of my favourite tournaments of the year.
LA, Pacific Palisades, Riviera Country club, host to the greatest par 4 in the world (the driveable and triple bogeyable 10th), an absolute beaut of a course and a test for a stellar field. Par 71, 7322 yards, glass greens in calm conditions.
Once upon a time it was a course for lefties or faders, and for years JB Holmes was a cashpoint here, but all the modern golfers fade it nowadays so it's a shade tougher.
JT showed good glimpses last week and at 22s his place money had us at break even give or take a point, the disappointment was Sam Ryder who doubled 17 on Saturday night to leave him way too far back to contend for a profitable place at 225s.
There's this guy called Woods playing this week so don't expect to see a variety of players for 2 days, I'd love to see him make the cut but I don't think he will, but like watching a favourite horse, I'd love to just see him get round safe and strengthen up for Augusta. They say god is omnipotent, but not this week, he's in California hitting a bridgestone ball.
It looks mild and calm this week and players have become so good (and their golf balls) that mid to high teens may be the number.
It's a week of hitting right to left and that is very much the guide to backing the selections.
4 picks this week and i wish it was 7 but of the 3 top players I fancy my first pick is TONY FINAU. Big Tony hasn't been outside the top 20 in about 6 months, he has won 3 times in recent memory, his putting has improved, he has taken spin off the ball for greater control and he is a previous runner up here, he is beyond succulent and juicy at 16/1 top 8 with Hills. I overlooked Morikawa and Homa at similar odds, you can't pick everyone but I think Tony is a good thing for a place (minimum) 7pts each way.
Next up we have JASON DAY. Nobody played better than Jayday last week, it's great to see him healthy, and although he putted very un-day-like last week he knows these greens and he knows his game is in a place it hasn't been since he was world number one. He wasn't on the initial shortlist but I do have a feel for a comeback story and after considering but ignoring Rose at Pebble I like the storyline and I like the game. The Aussie star is 40/1 top 8 with hills and I'm 4points each way and expecting good things.
Another trender is the mercurial SAHITH THEEGALA. It's nice to see someone with great hands and a far from perfect technique getting in and around the big boys at the head of many leaderboards. I didn't think he was playing this week as I went down the betting, I was shocked at his price given his recent form and 5 top 6 placings in 5 months on tour including a 2nd, and a win not counted in this in the QBE pairs. He doesn't stand out in any stats but with his only weakness being off the tee, a decent driving week on generous fairways with some nice run out could make him anything but his current odds. So at 66/1 with Skybet I'm 2points each way 8 places.
Lastly was a trender prior to last week, but showing even more good signs at Scotsdale was WYNDHAM CLARK. He hasn't missed a cut since October, he has 4 top 20s this season 2 of which are T10th in the RSM and last week. One thing about Riv is there are no flat putts, Clark leads the tour on putting from 3feet and under (he's 100% for the season) and he's 6th in Driving distance, so a good week lag putting and some average iron play will see him shooting 10 under or better I think, I like him a lot and I got 80/1 on Monday for him with Skybet 2points each way top 8.
Let's hope Riv gives me some nice profits, and let's also hope Morikawa doesn't find his putting boots!
