Jon Rahm tees off on the 5th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa, left, and Keith Mitchell check the lie of the green on the 9th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa reads the lie of the green on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm hits out of the rough near the cart path on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm hits out of deep rough on the third hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa reads the lie of the green on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm watches his tee shot on the third hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm gets guidance on a ball drop near the cart path on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Keith Mitchell takes a look at his chip shot on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa tees off on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm chips onto the 2nd hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Keith Mitchell checks the pin before hitting out of a sand trap on the 4th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa reads the lie of the green on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm checks the lie of the green on the 5th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Keith Mitchell tees off on the 5th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm watches his chip shot on the 2nd hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Collin Morikawa tees off on the 6th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Keith Mitchell hits out of a sand trap on the 4th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa tees off on the 5th hole as Keith Mitchell and Jon Rahm look on during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm putts on the 5th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa putts on the second hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Keith Mitchell consults with his caddy before his tee shot on on the 5th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa chips on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm hits from the fairway on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm acknolwedges the crowd after getting a birdie on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods tees off on the 11th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the 11th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm hits a fairway shot on the 8th hole hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa hits from the fairway on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm hits from the fairway on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm putts for a birdie on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa chips on the 8th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Crowds swarm to see Tiger Woods during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the 11th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods checks the fairway on the 11th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Collin Morikawa tees off on the 5th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods wets his glove before teeing off on the 12th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the 11th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm is greeted by fans after getting a birdie on the 18th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. Rahm leads the field with -15 going into the final round on Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Max Homa is greeted by fans after finishing the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. Homa is is second place at -12, Jon Rahm leads the field with -15 going into the final round on Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Jon Rahm raises his club and the crowd cheers after putting for a birdie on the 18th hole during the third round at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club Saturday, February 18, 2023. Rahm leads the field with -15 going into the final round on Sunday. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
PACIFIC PALISADES — John Rahm’s 6-under 65 in Saturday’s third round of the Genesis Invitational was the third time over his last four rounds that the talented Spaniard has posted that score at Riviera Country Club, regarded as one of the toughest tests on the PGA Tour.
Rahm’s bogey-free 65 on Saturday allowed him to open up a three-shot lead on 2021 Genesis champion Max Homa who sits alone in second place at 12 under and Keith Mitchell who is alone in third place at 11 under.
Rahm started his round with a birdie on the par-5, first hole and ended it by sinking a 23-foot birdie putt on 18, putting an exclamation on Rahm’s day and his effort.
“It was a great round of golf,” Rahm. “I took advantage of a couple good lies in the rough and made every putt that I needed to keep the round going, highlighted by the one on 13 (a 12-foot putt that saved par). I’ve seen that putt (on 18) hit a million times and we all leave it just a couple, a couple rolls short, so I just wanted to get it there. Felt good obviously making it, it’s a huge bonus, right? To be able to make one and extend the lead going into tomorrow, it’s a big bonus.”
Rahm opened the year with back-to-back wins and but the last two starts he’s come up short on the final day despite playing in the final group both times.
With the strength of the field in this week’s event and how challenging Riviera can be, Rahm knows he needs to come out and post another low score if he hopes to claim his first Genesis Invitational title.
“Somebody’s going to come out tomorrow and shoot a round of 4, 5, 6, 7 under, it happens every single tournament we play in,” Rahm said. “So, I have to be aware that somebody’s going to make a run and I’m going to have to shoot a 60s round for sure to give myself a chance to win as well. Just aware that I need to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
With three top 20 finishes in his four previous starts at Riviera, it’s clear that it’s a course that Rahm feels comfortable playing. He said his comfort starts with having grown up playing on poa annua grass, the same grass used on many golf courses around California. Beyond the grass, Rahm said he likes Riviera because it’s a ball-striker’s golf course.
“There’s a reason Ben Hogan had that success here and why it’s very difficult to be able to have people win back to back or win three, four times,” Rahm said. “You can’t really just get lucky, you have to come out here and be the best. I think that’s where it kind of helps me. My ball-striking level on average is usually pretty high and that’s why I have consistent finishes. This week I’ve been hitting my irons very precisely, giving myself a lot of chances for birdie, that’s why I’m in the position I’m in.”
Homa is trying to become one of those rare two-time winners but he knows to do that he will have to play his best golf of the week to chase down Rahm.
“Chasing down the hottest golfer on the planet, it’s an exciting opportunity,” Homa said. “I relish it. It’s exciting. It’s an opportunity, and I think in this life it’s just about opportunities, getting them and then when you have them, take advantage. So I’m excited to test myself with that.”
Through the first 14 holes on Saturday Homa matched Rahm shot for shot but back-to-back bogeys on holes 15 and 16 leave the Burbank native with some work to do in order to win his seventh career title.
His score of 2-under 69 on Saturday was his highest of the week but Homa actually felt like he struck the ball better in the third round than he had the day before when he shot 68.
“Yesterday I was scrappy and I hearted it out for 68,” Homa said. “Today I played great but I didn’t feel like I got the bounces. I didn’t feel like I got a lot out of the shots I was hitting, so tomorrow will be a different day.”
In five of his six wins, including his most recent at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Homa rallied from behind in the final round to win. His history, along with his growing belief in his golf game, give Homa confidence that he can create more winning magic on Sunday.
“I feel like I haven’t really matched everything up yet this week minus the first day, and even then I could have driven it a little better,” Homa said. “I’m excited to do that tomorrow. I’m going to have to play a really good round of golf. This place is tricky. I know it very well and I feel like I’ll know when to pick my spots. I’m trusting in everything I’m doing right now, which I think is the key, so I feel good.”
After making the cut on the cutline, tournament host Tiger Woods came out on Saturday and played his best round since winning the 2019 Masters.
Starting his round on the back nine, Woods birdied his opening hole and went on to fire a 4-under 67, leaving him in a tie for 26th after three rounds. Woods had three birdies and an eagle but he just missed several other birdie putts that could have allowed him to post something really low.
“It’s the best I have played (since returning from his accident), Woods said. “I wanted to get in touch with the leaders today, I was hoping to shoot something a little bit lower than I did just so I could reach out to them. Hopefully tomorrow go out and play a good one.
Woods has been pleased with his ball striking over the first two rounds but said his putting was preventing him from scoring better. He said he made some adjustments after round two and the results spoke for themselves.
“I’ve always been a person who likes to hook my putts, so I just tried to feel like I went back to releasing the putter blade more, more right hand, more release,” Woods said. “I just hate that blocky feeling that I had yesterday. So I go back to hooking my putts and it felt like my normal stroke, which was good.”
Having not walked 72 holes since last year’s Masters, Woods admitted his body is a fairly sore so he’s looking forward to finishing with a strong final round and then giving his body a few days to recover. Asked if he might consider teeing it up again before this year’s Masters, Woods said only time will tell.
“Hopefully tomorrow go out and play a good one, post this event, and we’ll go ahead and reassess everything and see where we are, see how I recover from a full tournament,” Woods said. “I haven’t done this in a while. Hopefully the body will still feel good sometime later next week. As of right now, recovery time will be fun.”