Genesis Open: match betting preview, tips and TV details

TV: Sky Sports Golf, 2.30pm Thursday

Phil Mickelson had to get out of bed early on Monday to finish the Pebble Beach Pro-Am but he would not have worried one jot as he took his fifth crown at the iconic venue.

He can be expected to ride that wave of confidence at the Genesis Open at Riviera, where he claimed successive titles in 2008 and 2009.

Lefty was imperious in firing a seven-under-par 65 in his final round to see his way past 54-hole leader Paul Casey and he looks a big price to fare better than Tiger Woods this week.

Woods is playing his second PGA Tour event of the year - he finished well to claim 20th place at the Farmers Insurance Open - but Riviera is the only course on the circuit that Tiger has played at more than four times and never won.

He has finished second twice, but Mickelson's performance last week was hardly a fluke - it is only a month since he was pipped to the Desert Classic by 500-1 rag Adam Long - and odds-against prices for him to beat Woods look worth taking.

Jordan Spieth looked like he would last the course at Pebble Beach at one stage that but his challenge collapsed over the weekend.

Just when it seemed the three-time Major winner was making progress, final rounds of 74 and 75 provided plenty of food for thought and he may not recover swiftly on a course where he tied for ninth spot 12 months ago.

The Texan is readily opposed and Hideki Matsuyama looks a player capable of eclipsing his effort.

The Japanese star has missed this tournament for the last two years but he has form figures of 11-4-23 from three earlier visits.

A top-quality ball-striker, he should be in his element at Riviera this week and he has already posted some decent 2019 finishes with 15th at the Phoenix Open and third at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he would have made a stronger challenge had it not been for a Saturday 73.

• Genesis Open outright preview

Casey did not do much wrong as his three-shot advantage slipped away at Pebble Beach, but the disappointment of not completing the job for a fourth time having led at the end of the third round could take some getting over.

Patrick Cantlay missed Pebble Beach with an unspecified injury, but he could beat Casey if he lines up at a course where he tied for fourth last year. He missed the cut at the Farmers but had four successive top-ten finishes before that.

Sergio Garcia makes his American bow this week still trying to shake off the embarrassment of his disqualification at the Saudi International two weeks ago for vandalising the greens.

The former Masters champion will have plenty of prove this week and his fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello could enjoy a better tournament.

Cabrera Bello finished 26th at Riviera last year and could have made a much bigger impression at Pebble Beach had it not been for a closing 74 that ruined an excellent opportunity.

Recommendations
P Mickelson to beat T Woods
2pts 21-20 BoyleSports
H Matsuyama to beat J Spieth
2pts 10-11 Betway, Coral
P Cantlay to beat P Casey
1pt 10-11 Betway
R Cabrera Bello to beat S Garcia (draw no bet)
1pt 11-10 Hills

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