When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >
Odds from BetMGM. Sign up today to take advantage of a $1000 site credit or check out more offers and promo codes for the best online sportsbooks.
Beginner friendly
Fantastic odds
Bet $20 Win $200 in Free Bets
21+ CO, VA, MI Only | Terms and conditions apply
Tiger Woods is back!
Yes, although 23 of the world’s top 25 ranked players are in the field, it is the sport’s greatest superstar who will be creating the headlines this week in Los Angeles.
His relationship with the tournament is an odd one, however.
He made his PGA Tour debut in it 31 years ago and endured a catastrophic car accident leaving it two years ago.
Yet in between, he always struggled with the Riviera test and never won the event. In that, he isn’t alone because the equally great Jack Nicklaus also never conquered a tournament that was known as the Los Angeles Open when he played in it.
Despite that, the course has always dropped big hints about the first major championship of the year - the Masters at Augusta National.
In fact, 15 of the last 25 winners at Riviera have either won or finished second in the Masters (before or after their success in California).
It’s the last week of the West Coast Swing and with it the last week of golf near the Pacific Ocean with Poa Annua grass on the greens.
That factor is important this week because players who perform well on this 7,322-yard par-71 tend to be proven on Poa in California.
But the grass in the rough matters too: it’s kikuyu, a sticky grain that is difficult to hit from which explains why course form also matters this week - some golfers can hit from it and others struggle.
The course record of Jon Rahm this week is a lot like it was last week because he’s played Riviera four times, has never finished outside the top 25 and has a best of fifth.
Last week in Phoenix he improved on the same best with an eight top-four finish in his last nine starts and it would be no surprise if he maintained that run this week but will it be with a win?
Rory McIlroy’s spell of golden form ended at TPC Scottsdale when he could only manage 32nd, the first non-top 10 finish in nine starts.
He’s landed five top-20s in six tournament starts with two top-five finishes - the Riviera test suits him better than last week’s examination.
Scottie Scheffler was superb last week when defending his WM Phoenix Open title, a result that saw him return to the top of the world rankings.
Should we expect a more difficult week, however? He finished seventh last year, his equal-best finish in nine starts on Poa in California (with four missed cuts).
This week Netflix is launching its new documentary series ‘Full Swing’ which features the stories of eight golfers on the PGA Tour.
Reviews indicate that the best episode tells the story of Tony Finau, already one of the most popular golfers in the game and destined for lots of love in the next few days and weeks.
Can he ride those waves of good feelings? I’d argue there is more than one reason to think yes.
First up, he has a fine course record with runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2021.
Secondly, there is his form elsewhere on Poa Annua in California which takes in runner-up spots at Silverado and Torrey Pines.
He also claimed victory on Poa in Detroit last year and has multiple top-10 finishes on it in major championships.
The clincher is that he’s in good nick in such conditions, posting ninth place in last month’s visit to Torrey Pines.
Back him at BetMGM. The win price of +1800 in an industry best and add a top-five saver at +350.
We’ve had a lot of success with the top 20 and top 40 markets in 2023 - the latest success being Sam Burns’ top 20 in the WM Phoenix Open last week - so we’ll stick with that mode of attack in LA.
In 2023 Cameron Young played on Poa Annua in California twice, finishing 20th at Torrey Pines (an effort that included a brilliant third round 63 on the difficult South Course) and second here at Riviera.
Beyond that good news, he has a strong record on all Poa Annua courses, which tend to need a mature approach.
He won and finished second on it when playing the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour and he was also second on it in last summer’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.
In all he has nine top-20s in 16 starts.
He also has 11 top 20s finishes In 22 stroke play starts over the last 12 months.
Take him to record another with DraftKings offering +160 about a golfer as short as +120 elsewhere.
Belgium’s Thomas Detry has been among our successes in the top 40 market this year and he looks worth backing again this week.
He’s in his rookie season on the PGA Tour and his consistency has been impressive, landing seven top 40s in eight starts.
That tallies with his career record Stateside: he has 15 top 40s in 19 starts since his first venture there in 2019.
He’s also an excellent operator on Poa Annua: throughout hs career he’s 21-for-35 at landing top 40s on it but on Poa in California this season? 3-for-3.
The numbers are in our favour with FanDuel Sportsbook offering +175 for yet another top 40 this week.
Impressive range of bonuses
Large selection of games
Bet $100 get $100 Bet Credit
21+ | T&Cs apply
Wide range of betting options
Top notch customer service
Promo Code 'SPORTS'
$500 Free Bet
21+ | VA only | Gambling problem? Call 1-800-532-3500
Golf
The Corales Puntacana Championship: Higgs Can Go Big
Golf | 22 March - 06:44 | Matt Cooper
Golf
WGC Dell Technologies Match Play: Scheffler’s Austin Dominance to Continue
Golf | 21 March - 01:45 | Matt Cooper
Golf
The Valspar Championship: Burns can Join Rare Three-Peat Club
Golf | 15 March - 11:00 | Dave Tindall
Bet $20 Win $200 in Free Bets
21+ CO, VA, MI Only | Terms and conditions apply
Matt Cooper has been a sports journalist since 2009 with his work appearing at ESPN, Sky Sports, NBC, Sporting Life and the Planet Sport Network among many others, in addition to guest appearances on the BBC and CNN. Although a specialist in golf, who has traveled the world to cover the sport, Matt has also covered rugby, cricket, football and the Olympics. Email: [email protected]
More info on Matt Cooper
© Rebel Penguin ApS 2023 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)
We support responsible gambling. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call
1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-522-4700 (NV), 1-800-522-4700
(CO,
TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI).
WSN.com is registered with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID
89744,
with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by
the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number
117656-1,
possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account
number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board,
an
interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery
Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director
of
Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a
Vendor
Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our
affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various
sportsbooks.