Featured Groups: Genesis Open

Tiger Woods was 16 when he made his PGA TOUR debut at Riviera Country Club in ’92. As he makes his 13th start at the Genesis this week, it remains the only tournament he has played 10 or more times without winning. Here’s a win, though: The Genesis benefits his foundation.

Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas comprise a Featured Group in a tournament loaded with big names, not to mention big drives (Cameron Champ, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson).

Watson will try to become the first since 1956 to win the tournament four times. A win would also make him the first since Phil Mickelson (2008, ’09) to successfully defend at Riviera. And speaking of Lefty, he is coming off his 44th career victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

PGA TOUR LIVE will have coverage from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET for the first two days, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the final round Sunday. We will move to Featured Hole coverage at 3:00PM/ET both days. Featured Hole Coverage consists of the 14th (Par-3) and 16th (Par-3).

PGA TOUR Twitter window will be from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 10:45 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday, and 11 to 12:15 a.m. Sunday. A Fan Vote on Twitter will determine the second Featured Group on Friday, with final results announced at the end of Thursday’s first round.

PGA TOUR Radio on Sirius XM will air from 12-6 p.m. ET Thursday and Friday, 1-6 p.m. Saturday, and 1-6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Here’s a look at the Featured Groups on Thursday and Friday (current FedExCup ranking in parentheses):

Cameron Champ (11) – The early leader for Rookie of the Year, Champ played on the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption last year.

Dustin Johnson (81) – Has played well of late and clearly loves Riviera, with seven top-10 finishes there in 11 starts.

Bubba Watson (82) – Has the best record at Riviera of the three long-hitters in the group, with three wins in the last five years.

Tee time: 10:11 a.m. ET off 10th tee

Xander Schauffele (2) – In second in the FedExCup standings by a scant 8 points, he’s the only other player besides No. 1 Matt Kuchar with multiple TOUR wins this season.

Jordan Spieth (182) – FedExCup champion in 2015 showed positive signs at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am despite lackluster weekend and T45.

Phil Mickelson (6) – Comes in as one of the hottest players in the game after registering his 44th career win at the AT&T on Monday. Won here in ’08, ’09.

Tee time: 10:22 a.m. off 10th tee

Bryson DeChambeau (9) – Five-time TOUR winner has four wins in last 10 starts worldwide and is making his first TOUR start since the Hawaii swing.

Matt Kuchar (1) – FedExCup leader is enjoying a career revival at 40 after wins at Mayakoba Golf Classic and Sony Open in Hawaii.

Jon Rahm (27) – Superstar from Spain is making first Genesis start, but has four top-10s in his last five starts this season.

Tee time: 3:11 p.m. ET off 1st tee

Tiger Woods (167) – Only two-time FedExCup winner is making just his second start of the new season after a ho-hum T20 at Farmers Insurance Open.

Rory McIlroy (55) – FedExCup winner in 2016 looks close to winning again after T4 at Sentry Tournament of Champions and T5 at Farmers Insurance Open.

Justin Thomas (14) – FedExCup champ in 2017 has three top-5s in six starts this season. Last year’s T9 was best finish at Genesis in four starts.

Tee time: 3:22 p.m. ET off 1st tee

10:22 a.m. ET Woods/McIlroy/Thomas off 10th tee

3:11 p.m. ET: Champ /Watson/Johnson off 1st tee

3:22 p.m. Mickelson/Schauffele/Spieth off 1st tee

FAN VOTE FRIDAY CHOICES:

10:01 a.m. ET: Charl Schwartzel / Ernie Els / Kiradech Aphibarnrat

10:11: Matt Kuchar / Bryson DeChambeau / Jon Rahm

10:32: Jhonattan Vegas / Jonas Blixt / Adam Scott

10:43: Davis Love III / Jim Furyk / Fred Couples