The Genesis Invitational

When looking back at the 2023 Genesis Invitational, memorable moments have been written in the history books for years to come. Sunday’s final round, highlighted by a back-nine duel between Jon Rahm and 2021 champion Max Homa, saw incredible shots, epic putts and a fist pump that shook the course. Rahm’s victory was his third of the PGA TOUR season and vaulted him to No. 1 in the world ranking. However, one of the lasting memories from the 2023 tournament was the return of Tournament Host Tiger Woods to PGA TOUR competition for the first time in more than six months.

The golf world has a new No. 1 player after Jon Rahm shot a final-round 2-under-par 69 at The Riviera Country Club en route to two-shot victory at The Genesis Invitational. For Rahm, it was the 10th PGA TOUR victory of his career, including his third of the current season, and his fifth triumph in his past nine starts worldwide.

Jon Rahm has been knocking on the door ever since he first teed it up at The Genesis Invitational four years ago, and the world’s third-ranked player has put himself in solid position to walk away from Riviera Country Club with the trophy. He’ll have to hold off two Southern California natives, however, as the stage is set for a Sunday filled with Hollywood drama.  

When Max Homa won The Genesis Invitational in 2021, he opened with a first-round 66 that included just one bogey in his hometown tournament. Thursday, the Valencia native went even lower, riding a wave of three straight birdies to close out his second nine and shoot a 7-under-par 64 that left him in a share of the first-round lead.

Texas Tech University senior Jack Wall defeated University of Kentucky’s Alex Goff on the second playoff hole to win the 2023 Collegiate Showcase and earn the final exemption into The Genesis Invitational. Wall went birdie-eagle on Riviera’s 10th and 11th holes in the playoff to secure the win. With the win, Wall will be making his PGA TOUR debut.