Golf betting tips: Genesis Invitational predictions

Updated on 9:06am GMT 18 February 2021

Eight of the world’s top ten will arrive to compete at Riviera Country Club this week and with the Masters on the horizon, the PGA Tour is expected to crank up in intensity in California.

With Tyrrell Hatton and Webb Simpson the only elite absentees, the Genesis Invitational hosts the strongest field of 2021 to date as the tour makes one last stop in the Golden State before heading East.

Below we’ve got more premium golf tips for the tournament from expert tipster Steve Palmer.

Steve has been absolutely on fire recently, landing a 5/1 winner and 66/1 placing in the Saudi International, as well as a huge 125/1 placing in the Phoenix Open! Those winners followed hot on the heels of 55/1 & 12/1 successes at the end of January in the Abu Dhabi Championship and the American Express.

Check out his latest golf predictions below!

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Genesis Invitational predictions and betting tips

Genesis Invitational course guide and where to watch

Course: Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California

Par: 71

Field: 120

Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Golf from 3pm Thursday

Genesis Invitational winner prediction: Dustin Johnson at 11/2

Dustin Johnson has returned from a week off at his Florida mansion, arriving to assume favouritism for the Genesis Invitational in California, and the world number one is difficult to oppose.

Johnson has won five of his last 13 tournaments, a spell of domination which includes the Tour Championship and the Masters, and his last outing was a fairly cosy Saudi International success.

Given how well this week’s venue, Riviera Country Club, sets up for the market leader, he has impeccable credentials, and his course form figures from his last seven visits are 2-2-4-1-16-9-10. He won the 2017 edition by five shots.

Genesis Invitational outsider prediction: Joaquin Niemann at 40/1 & Bubba Watson at 40/1

Punters looking for juicier prices, though, are advised to have each-way investments on Joaquin Niemann and Bubba Watson. Niemann is an ever-improving 22-year-old Chilean who has started 2021 in determined mood, finishing second in both the Hawaii Swing events, narrowly beaten by Harris English in the Sentry Tournament of Champions and by Kevin Na in the Sony Open.

Niemann has rested since then, so should be fresh and firing for a Riviera track on which he impressed in the 2017 US Amateur Championship. The course layout suits Niemann’s faded drives and he could threaten a second PGA Tour title if Johnson underperforms. Niemann has grown in confidence since making his Presidents Cup debut and has become a PGA Tour leaderboard regular.

An alternative at a similar price is Watson, who has won this tournament three times. Three of the last seven editions of the Genesis Invitational have ended up with Watson holding the trophy. Given he closed with a 65 for 22nd place in the Phoenix Open last time out, there is every reason to believe the mercurial left-hander could be set for more Riviera success. Big Bubba is only 42 and still has plenty to offer.