First Round Leader Odds at 2022 Genesis Invitational

• The Genesis Invitational from Riviera Country Club outside of Los Angeles, CA tees off Thursday, February 17th
• Jon Rahm is the slight +1600 favorite over Patrick Cantlay to lead after the first round
• See the best bets and odds to grab the first-round lead in the article below 

The best players in the world converge this week at Riviera Country Club, for the prestigious Genesis Invitational, hosted by the Tiger Woods foundation. Each of the top golfers on the planet are teeing it up, including Scottie Scheffler, who became the third straight first-time winner this season at the WM Phoenix Open.

A challenging test awaits the loaded field, with world number #1 Jon Rahm the +800 favorite to win his first PGA Tour event of 2022. With so many big names competing, there is a tremendous opportunity to find players that will sport great value for Genesis Invitational sleepers and longshot picks.

2022 Genesis Invitational First Round Leader Odds

Odds as of February 16th at DraftKings Sportsbook

The forecast is expected to be sunny throughout the day. Temperatures will range from mid 40’s early and go up to high 60’s in the afternoon. The players in the morning face a lighter breeze, gusting to just six MPH, with that reaching the low teens in the afternoon.

A benefit for those teeing it up in the morning is the exact same as it is every week – less bumpy greens with fewer players chewing them up.

Dustin Johnson Loves Riviera

A course perfectly suited for Dustin Johnson’s game is Riviera, as he’s won here in 2017, and has been the runner-up twice (2014, 2015). DJ hasn’t been worse than T-16th in the last eight times at this venue. In twelve career starts at this course, he’s racked up six career top-5s.

Subsequently, his last 24 rounds have produced remarkable ‘strokes gained’ stats for the two-time major champion.

Dustin Johnson’s Strokes Gained Stats In Last 24 Rounds at Riviera

He hasn’t played a ton in 2022, with just three starts, but he’s improved each time, posting a T-8th showing in his last start at the Saudi International and has longer odds than the top-three on the board.

• Pick: Dustin Johnson (+2500)

Russell Henley a Fast Starter

An intriguing mid-tier option to consider is Russell Henley, because he gets off to strong starts seemingly every week. In seven of his first eight starts of 2022, Henley has shot in the 60’s.

With his propensity to begin tournaments strongly, only Patrick Cantlay has a better first round average than Henley.

2021-22 PGA Tour First Round Scoring Average Leaders

For the campaign, Henley is third in scoring average, fifth in SG: approaching the green and tenth in birdie average. That could be the perfect combination to grab the lead after 18 holes.

• Pick: Russell Henley (+4500)

Tom Hoge on a Tear

Unheralded Tom Hoge broke through for his maiden PGA Tour title two weeks ago at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He followed that up by being in contention through the weekend at the WM Phoenix Open, before settling for a top-15 result.

Another recent strong event came for Hoge at the American Express, where he was the runner-up, leading him to post some strong strokes gained stats of late.

Tom Hoge’s Strokes Gained Stats In Last 24 Rounds

Hoge has shot in the 60’s in his last seven first rounds, and in the last 20 overall times teeing it up, he has 17 rounds in the 60’s. He’s quietly second on the FedEx Cup points list, and he’s also fourth in SG: approaching-the-green, which can set up plenty of birdie looks.

• Pick: Tom Hoge (+7000)