Played at revered Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA., just outside of L.A. Riviera is a 7,322 yard, Par 71 layout. Grass is all Kikuya except for greens.Pretty thick stuff, but only an inch and a half tall, but 7,500 square foot greens make for challenging 2 putts from distance. Poa Annua greens stimping at 12 1/2.

Defending champion, Max Homa, defeated Tony Finau in a playoff.

Last week, Scottie Scheffler won his first tournament at the Waste Management Phoenix Open sinking a 24 foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole, No.18, to outlast Patrick Cantlay and win at TPC Scottsdale. Wow, what a rowdy place. Once a year is enough of that.

This Super League is shaping up to be a dangerous competitor to the PGA Tour. With the massive money being offered some of these big names, they could defect to the 12 tournament league. If they do, the PGA has stated it will ban those players from playing on the PGA Tour. I agree with that statement. If they’re that greedy to leave the tour and don’t want to play in majors and play for history and legacy along with a really good earnings potential throughout the year and particularly in the Majors and in the Players, the fifth major, then they don’t deserve that opportunity. I hope the PGA will stand by those comments if guys like FIGJAM (ef I’m good just ask me) Mickelson and DeChambeau leave. What’s wrong with the career they have right now? They’ve got better job than 98 percent of the country, a job that pays several of them lavishly. Why would you not want to play in majors and leave a legacy for your family, your kids, your grandkids, your great grandchildren? I know the amount of money this league is offering is tempting, but I like guys who want to be a part of history, not some fly by night league that Greg Norman, one of the biggest chokers in the game, is in charge of. Norman’s bad for the game. I hope players realize the PGA Tour is where they’re supposed to be. It’s a solid, stable job. The Saudi League, while lucrative, is an enigma. Not sure if it’s viable for the future.

Weather this week, low 70’s Thursday through Saturday, winds, 5-10. 69 Sunday, winds, 5-10. Mostly Sunny, so perfect conditions.

19 key competitors, Will Zalatoris, 25/1, Matt Fitzpatrick, 33/1, Francesco Molinari, 100/1, Bubba Watson, 40/1, Max Homa, 40/1, Bubba Watson, 40/1, Brooks Koepka, 33/1 Tony Finau, 50/1, Collin Morikawa, 20/1, Dustin Johnson, 18/1, Cameron Smith, 25/1, Rory, 22/1, Hideki, 25/1, Viktor Hovland, 25/1, Jordan Spieth, 35/1, Xander Schauffele, 22/1, Justin Thomas, 16/1, Patrick Cantlay, 12/1, Jon Rahm, 9/1.

TV

Thursday-Friday, 3-7 PM CT, Golf Channel

Saturday, 12-2 PM CT, GC, 2-6 PM CT, CBS

Sunday, 12-2 PM CT, GC, 2-5:30 PM CT, CBS

Winner

I’ll take the 29 year old from Long Beach, CA. by way of UCLA. He’s been awesome the last 2 weeks finishing tied for 4th at Pebble Beach and runner up last week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. I like the fact that this is his home turf as well. Give me the 2021 Fed Ex Cup winner. He’s primed for another terrific year in 2022.

Patrick Cantlay

Sleeper

I’ll take the 24 year old from Orange, California. He had the lead going into the 71st hole last Sunday at the WMPO, but bogeyed the 17th, after hitting what looked like a solid tee shot over the green and into the water on the 330 yard par 4. He went on to bogey that hole, and couldn’t close the deal, but he looks capable every week now. He has an unusual swing, but it’s effective. The Pepperdine player won the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top player in collegiate golf in 2020. This guy is ready to win. I don’t know if he’ s considered an underdog anymore, but he’s 100/1, so I’ll take him as that.

Sahith Theegala