Australian’s Adam Scott tees up for Genesis Invitational tour at Riviera

Adam Scott is adamant a ‘big win is around the corner’ and PGA Tour events don’t come much bigger than this week’s Genesis Invitational at Riviera.

For the first time in 15 years, every player in the world’s top 10 is teeing up at a regular PGA Tour tournament that completes the West Coast swing.

It even has Tiger Woods, if only as the tournament host while recovering from injuries to his right leg from a car crash in Los Angeles almost a year ago.

‘It’s sort of turned into a can’t-miss event on the PGA Tour,’ said Rory McIlroy, who checks in at No.5.

‘It’s one that you don’t want to miss.’

It’s also an event that yielded Scott’s most recent win two years ago.

Australia’s former world No.1 says the ensuing two-year title drought has been hugely frustrating.

‘I haven’t played poorly, but I just haven’t excelled at all,’ Scott said.

‘That’s frustrating for me because I sit back every week and think I’m one of the best players in the world but I simply haven’t performed like that.

‘But I really feel over the last six months kind of the attitude’s changed. A lot of other areas around my game I’ve put into a good spot and I’m looking forward rather than looking back.’

Two top-10s in the Middle East to start his 2022 have Scott believing he’s heading in the right direction ahead of the Florida swing, then the majors season.

‘It’s early in the season and things have looked good so far,’ the two-time Riviera champion said.

The Australian golfer (pictured at the PGA Championship in August 2020) said he was ‘frustrated’ by his two-year title drought

‘A couple better results would be really good for the confidence and I feel like there’s a big win around the corner if I keep trending in the right direction.’

While victory for 41-year-old Scott would be a massive morale booster, a win for Collin Morikawa or Patrick Cantlay at the $US12 million event could propel either of the Americans above Spaniard John Rahm into the world’s top ranking.

This isn’t the first time Morikawa has a shot at No.1. The reigning Open champion was poised to get to the top at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December until blowing a five-shot lead in the final round.

He hasn’t seriously contended in three events this year after a long rest in the off-season recovering from the coronavirus.

But Morikawa spent time with his home-town coach last week in LA and likes where his game is headed.

‘So the confidence is back, glad to be back in LA and I’m just excited to see everyone and ready to play some great golf,’ he said.

Cantlay, who lost in a playoff to Scottie Scheffler last week in the Phoenix Open, has driven up to Riviera from his home in Long Beach.

He had said two weeks ago Pebble Beach or Cypress Point would be the course he would love to play with friends.

For tournament golf he felt Riviera was the best in the country.

Adam Scott celebrates following his triumph at the Australian PGA Championship in 2019