The Los Angeles Open (now known as The Genesis Invitational) is the fourth oldest tournament on the U.S. schedule and this week will see all 10 of the world’s top ranked golfers tee up.

According to stats guru Justin Ray, it’s the first time since 2007 this has happened outside a major, WGC or The Players and is testament, in part, to the standing of tournament host Tiger Woods among his peers.

The combination of Woods and the revered Riviera course is a heady mix for the stars of the modern game and fans in southern California are the beneficiaries.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Max Homa, one of the most popular players on the Tour and a Southern California native, captured his second Tour title in a play-off over Tony Finau.

RIGHT: Max Homa won his second PGA Tour title at this event last year. PHOTO: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images.

A pulled drive at the first play-off hole, Riviera’s famed short par-4 10th, left him seemingly dead nestled up against a tree but he somehow coaxed the ball on to the front edge of the green and made par to stay alive.

Another par at the second extra hole, the par-3 14th, was enough to secure victory when Finau couldn’t get up and down from a greenside bunker.

COURSES: Riviera is best known for its driveable par-4 10th hole but for those with an interest in course design that is just one treat on a full menu.

From the opening tee shot played from high above the first fairway of this George Thomas gem to the final long, uphill approach, players are tested in every way imaginable.

Interestingly, neither Jack Nicklaus nor Tiger Woods has ever won at Riviera though the list of winners in the course’s 58 times hosting the event is impressive and includes Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Fred Couples.

Scoring is hard earned at Riviera though good golf is rewarded with birdies, winning scores from the last decade ranging between seven-under and 17-under depending on weather.

Once again, this year the 10th will dominate discussion and golf writer Jim Murray’s description of it some decades ago will give a clue as to why.

“The hole is a shameless little harlot that just sits there at the end of the bar in her miniskirt and mesh stockings and winks at you."

It may be the best line ever written about a golf hole and anybody familiar with the 10th immediately understands the point.

The short par-4 10th hole is sure to provide plenty of intrigue this week in Los Angeles. PHOTO: Paul Mounce/Getty Images.

Within reach from the tee but surrounded by severe trouble, players – especially good players – can’t help but feel they should be taking aim at the putting surface.

Laying up with an iron from the tee is a simple affair but leaves a diabolically difficult short approach which some believe has become too severe in recent years and actually reduced playing options on the hole.

Either way, the 10th is guaranteed to be upper most in the minds of the players long before they reach the tee each day.

Also worth watching each year is the par-3 6th, famous for its small bunker sitting right in the middle of the green.

Surrounded by putting surface on all sides, it is perhaps the most unique feature of any golf hole played each year and splits the green into three distinct areas.

The par-3 4th was once described by Ben Hogan as ‘the greatest par-3 hole in America’ and – Augusta National and Pebble Beach aside – there may be no more recognisable finishing hole in U.S. tournament golf.

Riviera always ranks near the top of any poll of PGA Tour players and it’s no surprise as the George Thomas design is a genuine gem.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$12,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: As noted by the strength of field finding a winner this week is no easy task.

The man of the moment on Tour is Patrick Cantlay whose worst finish in four starts in 2022 is T9.

Runner-up last week in a play-off, he will be expecting to be among the contenders this week despite only finishing in the top-10 here once in six starts.

Two-time winner at Riviera Adam Scott is in good form of late and figures to feature again this week. PHOTO: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

The man immediately ahead of him in the world rankings, Collin Morikawa, should also be a factor here with his iron play but he, too, is yet to figure out the intricacies of Riviera.

His best result in two appearances is T26 though it would be no surprise if he was to best that this week.

The World’s No.1 ranked player, Jon Rahm, has a better record than his two nearest challengers with two top-10 finishes in three attempts and his recent form has been decent.

Leaving aside the world’s top-10 (11 if you include Cameron Smith) two-time winner Adam Scott might be worth considering this week.

He was indifferent in Phoenix last week (it’s not the style of golf which tends to bring out his best) but two top-10 finishes in Europe to start the year were encouraging.

Scott’s liking for the course is beyond question with six top-10 finishes in 13 starts including two victories and two runner-up finishes.

Finally, fellow Queenslander Smith will also be worth watching this week after a fourth place finish last year.

His game seems to have gone up half a notch since then and it would be no surprise to see him at the pointy end of the leaderboard this week.

72-HOLE RECORD: 264 (-20, Lanny Wadkins, 1985)

18-HOLE RECORD: 61 (Ted Tryba, 1999)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Robert Allenby (2001), Adam Scott (2005 & 2020) and Aaron Baddeley (2011).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Cam Davis, Min Woo Lee, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Matt Jones and Marc Leishman.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 6am –10am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 6am – 10am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 10am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 10am)
*AEDT, check local guides