A clean Saturday card for the leader @TheGenesisInv.@JonRahmPGA goes low on Moving Day at Riv. pic.twitter.com/4BgWKTIsLQ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 19, 2023
2023 Genesis Invitational leaderboard: Jon Rahm cruises to three-stroke lead entering final round at Riviera
Rahm has easily been the best golfer so far this year, and he'll be out to prove it again as he seeks his third win
Saturday at the 2023 Genesis Invitational was a day to remember. On one side of the golf course, Tiger Woods electrified weekend crowds with one of the rounds of the day, while on the other side, the final group of Max Homa, Jon Rahm and Keith Mitchell duked it out against each other.
In the end, it was Rahm who claimed the solo lead at 15 under heading into the final round at Riviera Country Club. Beginning the day one stroke off the pace of Homa, Rahm signed for one of the best rounds of the day with his 6-under 65. Making this effort even more impressive was the fact that his biggest weapon -- the driver -- abandoned him at certain points throughout the afternoon.
Battling a left miss off the tee, Rahm was able to card six birdies against zero bogeys thanks to valiant performances both on approach and with the putter in hand. The world No. 3 is now positioned for his third title of 2023, and should he win, will reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.
To say this tournament is over would be an exaggeration, however. Homa (-12) and Mitchell (-11) are still both within close proximity to Rahm and will be paired with him once again on Sunday. Patrick Cantlay made a nice charge to 10 under late on Saturday while former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland is within reach at 9 under.
The leader
1. Jon Rahm (-15)
It is one thing to be the best player in the world (which Rahm has been in 2023), but it is another to also be the luckiest (which Rahm has been this week). This streak of breaks began late on Friday as Rahm's second shot into the par-5 17th bounced off the greenside grandstand and trickled within 5 feet of the hole. An eagle ensued, but it was a pair of good bounces from Saturday that only amplified his tournament chances.
The first came on the par-4 3rd where Rahm blasted his tee shot left into a parking lot. This area was labeled as a temporary immovable object, and as such, Rahm was rewarded free relief -- even he himself believed this to be out of bounds as he played a provisional off the tee. The second came at the par-4 13th where Rahm once again missed left with the driver but caught a tree branch. Had his ball's momentum not been stopped, an impossible second shot and likely bogey would have followed.
To Rahm's credit (and to the misfortune of the rest of the field), the hottest player in the world is taking full advantage when the ball has bounced his way. His round of 6-under 65 in Round 3 almost felt too routine.
Other contenders
2. Max Homa (-12)
3. Keith Mitchell (-11)
4. Patrick Cantlay (-10)
5. Gary Woodland (-9)
T6. Collin Morikawa, Adam Svensson, Denny McCarthy, Tom Hoge (-7)
In the early stages of the back nine it felt as if Homa could do no wrong. The 2021 champion was in a share of the lead when he walked off the 14th green and was absolutely cruising until a pair of poor iron swings put him behind the eight ball. Playing his final four holes in 2 over, Homa lost three strokes to Rahm and may have dashed his chance to claim another Genesis Invitational title.
A @MaxHoma23 birdie gets the crowd energized @TheGenesisInv.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
He's tied for the lead with @JonRahmPGA at -14. pic.twitter.com/ydWYh8tV1x
Tiger turns back the clocks
Only Rahm and Denny McCarthy beat the cat in Round 3 as the 47-year-old signed for the third-lowest round of the day with his 4-under 67. Woods ranked ninth in strokes gained tee to green, eighth in strokes gained off the tee, 19th in strokes gained approach and, most importantly, 15th in strokes gained putting. After a poor putting performance on Friday, he made his fair share of lengthy efforts and totaled three birdies and an eagle.
"Today I made a few putts," said Woods. "Yesterday I blocked about half my putts. This entire week I have been very pleased with the way I have driven it. I have been pretty one-dimensional since I haven't played that much ... but it's been good since the golf course kind of sets up for me that way."
Tiger is feeling it early in Round 3.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
He rolls in his second birdie of the day @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/zrlx2NrKFQ
2023 Genesis Invitational updated odds and picks
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook
- Jon Rahm: 33/100
- Max Homa: 4-1
- Keith Mitchell: 16-1
- Patrick Cantlay: 16-1
These are the only players listed below 100-1 as Rahm put a stranglehold on this tournament over the last hour of play on Saturday. In possession of a three-stroke lead, if Rahm breaks 70, he should win this tournament. With how well he is striking his irons and reading these greens (and despite how poorly he is driving it), his third victory of 2023 appears inevitable.
Live updates
WHAT A FINISH ‼️@JonRahmpga birdies the last to get to 15 under @thegenesisinv pic.twitter.com/q3MSP0MQR2
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 19, 2023
Birdie on 18 for the leader.@JonRahmPGA rolls it in and takes a 3-shot lead into Sunday @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/Vf5FzgwJ8n
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 19, 2023
Jon Rahm is 171 under par in his last 10 worldwide tournaments
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
Each of the last 7 winners at Riviera were either 1st or 2nd entering the final round.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
With a win tomorrow, he would also be the 4th international player since 1960 to reach 10 PGA Tour wins before turning 30 (Player, McIlroy, Day). https://t.co/EsUcXEi5X9
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
Tiger's expectations vs. reality 🎙@Amanda_Balionis spoke with @TigerWoods about his performance thus far @thegenesisinv pic.twitter.com/Ta3eC4eeUi
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 18, 2023
Back-to-back days.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Back-to-back cliffhangers.@Collin_Morikawa gets it to drop ... again. https://t.co/t7z2IzmRTB pic.twitter.com/9n24LYH51o
Bad news: back-to-back bogeys for Max Homa
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
Better news: last time he did that at Riviera was in the 3rd round in 2021 when he went on to win
All smiles watching @TigerWoods today. pic.twitter.com/bb6pdqrZ72
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Have a day, @TigerWoods 👏 pic.twitter.com/Jdq4oK8sq9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Homa leaking oil
That is now back-to-back bogeys for Homa and all of a sudden, Rahm's lead is two. At 14 under, Keith Mitchell and Homa are now two strokes off the pace with two holes to go. These next two holes are crucial as they will not want to be too far off the pace of Rahm.
Tiger Woods shoots 67 today at Riviera.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
It's his lowest score in any PGA Tour round in 848 days.
13 pars
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 18, 2023
3 birdies
1 eagle
1 bogey
Solid 4-under 67 for Tiger in round three @thegenesisinv 💪 pic.twitter.com/8eI9vWrY3s
Fans are ready and waiting for Tiger's final hole of the day. pic.twitter.com/rndC37UWNk
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
"I hope it still goes in!" 💥
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 18, 2023
17 years ago, our @TrevorImmelman made an ace on 16 @thegenesisinv ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/rkzP8nyIuj
Tiger drops a shot; Homa and Rahm still rolling
Tiger cards his first bogey of the day on the par-4 7th to drop to 3 under. On the other side of the golf course, the final group continues to play unbelievable golf. Homa has caught Rahm at 14 under while Keith Mitchell will have a great chance on the par-3 14th to get within one.
A @MaxHoma23 birdie gets the crowd energized @TheGenesisInv.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
He's tied for the lead with @JonRahmPGA at -14. pic.twitter.com/ydWYh8tV1x
Another circle on the scorecard for @TigerWoods.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
He's 5-under thru 14 holes today 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ha05JoCqjS
💥 Another birdie on the card for Tiger 💥
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 18, 2023
He is now 5 under on the day @thegenesisinv pic.twitter.com/5OXWWH4AYJ
Players currently with a better round 3 score to par than Tiger Woods (-5): 1 - Denny McCarthy, -6
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
Tiger gets inside top 20 with another birdie
The big cat is rolllllling. A birdie on the par-4 5th gets Woods to 5 under on the day and 4 under for the tournament. Only Denny McCarthy at 6 under has a better round than Woods for the day.
268 yards ➡️ 2 feet@GaryWoodland goes right at it. pic.twitter.com/IcAIxatCTZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Rahm takes solo lead
The big Spaniard is now 14 under after a birdie on the par-5 11th. He has taken the lead from Max Homa who failed to convert a 10 footer of his own for birdie. Rahm (-14), Homa (-13) and Mitchell (-12) are in full control of their games at the moment. They are a combined 11 under today with zero bogeys.
“It had to be you.” - @TigerWoods 😅
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
The story behind Tiger’s drive ending up in this fan’s jacket is incredible 😂 https://t.co/iBC0JNEFdQ pic.twitter.com/8x2ZW8HJPE
Most eagles on single hole, Tiger Woods' PGA Tour career -
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 18, 2023
1st at Riviera CC - 6
15th at Cog Hill G&CC - 6
15th at Augusta - 5
2nd at Firestone South - 5
11th at Muirfield Village - 5
Final group separating from field
Max Homa and Jon Rahm share the lead at 13 under after Homa's birdie on the par-4 10th. Keith Mitchell is holding steady as well at 11 under, but outside the top three there are no other players double-digit under par. Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay round out the top five at 8 under.
Mic'd up on No. 10 🎙@Collin_Morikawa offers live insight as he plays the 10th hole @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/S80BjpO0oo
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
Mic'd up Morikawa 🎤@collin_morikawa walks us through his strategy on hole 10 at Riv. @thegenesisinv pic.twitter.com/tobrd39qoq
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 18, 2023
A roar nobody would've been ready for 😵
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 18, 2023
The tap-in eagle putt moves @TigerWoods to T26 (-3) @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/PYZYNIuDva